The Empress naturally understood that things were not so simple.
"If we can find these things, that's fine. But if we can't find them, that's when things will get really troublesome."
The Empress reminded Pei Zhi, "The Fourth Prince's principal wife is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue."
"Whether it's rebuilding the armaments or paying the soldiers, the Ministry of Revenue will have to pay for it all. I suspect that the Ministry of Revenue will definitely cry poverty and say that it has no money."
The Empress glanced at Pei Zhi and said, "I was thinking that your husband's family is quite wealthy. If they can fill this hole, your brother's punishment should be much lighter."
So, the Qin family is just a fat sheep in front of the royal family?
Is ripping someone off once not enough?
Pei Zhi naturally couldn't let the Qin family pay any more money; otherwise, wouldn't the Qin family be too unlucky?
"Your Majesty's meaning is clear to me."
Pei Zhi pretended to be sincere and said, "My brother is in trouble, so as his own sister, I will naturally do everything I can to help him."
"But Mother doesn't know that a few days ago, there was an earthquake in the north. Father Emperor asked for money, and the Qin family spent money to buy grain and medicine. I don't know if there is any money left in the account now."
The Empress was immediately dumbfounded. "Isn't the Qin family the richest family? Aren't they imperial merchants? How come they're broke?"
Pei Zhi said with difficulty, "Mother, the money is all for purchasing goods. Even if we raise the money now, it will take a while."
The Empress said with a hint of authority, "Chang Le, Yuan Ce is your own brother. You can't just stand by and watch him die."
"Your words, Mother, make me want to tear my heart out."
Pei Zhi wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, "Although I am marrying into the Qin family, I do not have the power to manage the Qin family's household affairs."
The Empress suddenly raised her voice: "What? Qin Xiangyang is the eldest brother of the Qin family. You married into the family, and the Qin family didn't even put you in charge of the household?"
Qin Xiangyang is the eldest son of the Qin family. In most aristocratic families, the eldest son is expected to inherit the family business.
After the eldest son gets married, the mother-in-law will have the eldest daughter-in-law start learning how to manage the household.
Pei Zhi choked up and said, "Yes, I know nothing about the Qin family's wealth. I can't just ask for it without asking, can I? Wouldn't that be putting the royal family's dignity on the ground?"
The Empress sighed deeply, "You're supposed to be a princess, yet you married into a merchant family and you've ended up like this?"
Pei Zhi asked cautiously, "Then when I get back, I'll go to the Qin family and cause trouble for them?"
The Empress seemed to be moved, but it was the nanny who served her personally who spoke up.
"I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."
Empress: "Speak."
"The Qin family just solved such a big problem for His Majesty. If the princess goes to the Qin family to cause trouble for money, and His Majesty has just rewarded the Qin family, wouldn't that be a slap in His Majesty's face?"
What the old woman said makes a lot of sense.
Pei Zhi looked at the Empress with pleading eyes: "Then, Mother, what should I do now to save my brother?"
"Alright, you can go back now. If anything happens, I will have someone inform you."
Pei Zhi left with tears in her eyes. Before leaving, she pleaded with the Empress to protect her brother no matter what.
The Empress asked doubtfully, "Do you think Chang Le might be pretending to be stupid in front of me?"
"This servant has also inquired. Although the princess married into the Qin family, the power to manage the Qin family still rests with Madam Qin. The princess is not lying about this."
The Empress said, "Then the Qin family is showing contempt for imperial authority?"
The old woman replied, "The princess is currently residing in the princess's residence and does not return to the Qin family. It is normal for Madam Qin to be hesitant to entrust the management of the household to the princess."
"So what do we do now? That idiot Pei Yuance has caused such a huge mess, the Ministry of Revenue definitely won't pay out any money. This time, I'm being dragged down with him and I'll lose face too."
The Empress truly hadn't expected Pei Yuanze to be so incompetent.
He had just been assigned a task, and he already messed it up.
The personal nanny comforted him, "This matter cannot be entirely blamed on the Fifth Prince. Moreover, His Majesty will definitely send soldiers to investigate. If he is found, the punishment will probably not be too severe."
Pei Zhi left Changqiu Palace and used a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from her eyes.
The Empress had the same plan as Emperor Pei, so Pei Zhi naturally couldn't accept it.
Three days later, Pei Zhi received a letter from Alan. Everything had been settled, and the brothers had dispersed as Pei Zhi had instructed, so as not to attract attention.
Seven days later, Pei Yuance was escorted back to the capital to await his fate.
Losing military equipment and pay naturally warrants accountability.
Some in the court urged Emperor Pei to punish the prince immediately, while others argued that the fifth prince had no intention of doing so, and that the treacherous officials were too bold and that the bandits should be apprehended first.
The two groups were arguing fiercely in the court.
Having no other choice, Emperor Pei had to imprison Pei Yuanze to await his fate.
Two days later, Xie Qi, this distinguished guest, came to visit again.
This time, however, Xie Qi came openly and honestly, unlike before when he was secretive and secretive.
In the hall, Pei Zhi leisurely sipped her tea.
"Young Master Xie, how's the investigation going?"
"We have no leads yet. The surrounding post stations and city gates are all under guard, but we have found nothing."
Armaments and military pay were not insignificant items, and guards were stationed at the city gates of the surrounding cities every day.
Pei Zhi put down her teacup and sighed, "This is going to be difficult."
"I have come today to ask the princess something."
Pei Zhi hurriedly replied, "Please speak, young master. For the sake of my imperial brother, I will tell you everything I know."
"I asked Your Highness, and Your Highness said that no one has seen his route map."
Xie Qi looked at Pei Zhi, "But those robbers clearly staked out the area long ago. How could they have succeeded without a route?"
Pei Zhi nodded in agreement after hearing Xie Qi's words: "Yes."
Pei Zhi asked, "Does Young Master Xie mean that someone stole the Emperor's map and gave it to those bandits?"
"After I asked the Fifth Prince to think carefully, Your Highness said that before he left, the Princess went to see him off. May I ask, did the Princess see the route map?"
Pei Zhi laughed: "Young Master Xie, are you doubting me?"
Xie Qi replied matter-of-factly, "I was merely asking questions according to the rules."
Pei Zhi insisted, "I have never seen it."
"Is the princess sure?" Xie Qi stared intently into Pei Zhi's eyes. "If the princess's answer differs from His Highness's, then the princess is suspicious."
Pei Zhi said solemnly, "No matter how many times Young Master Xie asks me, my answer remains the same: I have never seen it."
Xie Qi scrutinized Pei Zhi's expression, but Pei Zhi showed no guilt whatsoever and did not evade his scrutinizing gaze.
Xie Qi handled many major cases in the capital and interrogated many heinous criminals.
After a moment of silence, Xie Qi smiled, "His Highness also said that the Princess hasn't seen it. It seems that the Princess and His Highness have the same answer."
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