The Empress's explicit statement was a message to Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi has something on her hands, so she has to help, whether she wants to or not.
"Your Majesty's request is one I dare not refuse."
The Empress was pleased with Pei Zhi's tact. "Chang Le, you should know that you are now my daughter."
"You and I are in the same boat, our fortunes are intertwined, do you understand?"
Pei Zhi nodded hurriedly: "Of course I understand."
Pei Zhi pondered in her heart, and she wondered why Xie Qi had found her side hall so easily that day.
Clearly, she has people watching over her when she's out.
She thought it was Xie Qi's good luck.
It now seems that the Empress must have played a significant role in this.
If Xie Qi had an affair with her, the Empress would have control over both Xie Qi and the Xie family.
They have something on the Empress, so whatever the Empress says goes.
"Keep this in mind. I expect a reply within seven days."
The Empress was afraid that Pei Zhi would do something perfunctory, so she gave him a date.
"If I do not receive a reply within seven days, then don't blame me for not showing any motherly affection."
Pei Zhi said frankly, "My life and fortune are in Mother Empress's hands. What else could Mother Empress possibly worry about?"
"I have already dealt with Consort Gao's matter cleanly. Granny Chang is no longer here. If you need anything in the future, just ask the people around me."
The Empress meant that she had already taken care of the aftermath.
No matter how much Emperor Pei investigates, he will not be able to find out anything about the two of them.
Furthermore, Granny Chang has already been secretly executed by the Empress.
The Empress is indirectly eliminating Pei Zhi's henchmen in the palace, after all, this is the inner palace, the Empress's territory.
The Empress's actions served as a warning to Pei Zhi.
When Pei Zhi left the palace, she wasn't thinking about becoming an apprentice.
Pei Zhi did not like being controlled by others, not even the Empress.
No sooner had they returned to the princess's residence than someone came to report that there were guests at the residence.
Xie Qi should be recuperating at home, and Yuan Chengyu will also come through the secret passage.
Who would come to our door openly and honestly?
"Royal sister."
Pei Zhi forced a smile, "What brings my royal brother to my residence?"
"My sister has established her own residence, but I haven't visited even once. That's not right."
The fourth prince gestured to the servant beside him to bring out the gift, "So this time I have prepared a small gift, and I hope my younger sister will not take offense."
There was no need for the two of them to put on a show of brotherly and sisterly affection, Pei Zhi pondered, wondering about the purpose of her fourth brother's visit.
With Consort Gao dead, it's impossible for the Fourth Prince to come looking for her to settle scores.
"Your Highness, please accept my condolences on the passing of the Imperial Concubine."
Although the Fourth Prince showed no sign of sadness, Pei Zhi still had to say some polite words.
"Everyone dies eventually, there's nothing to be sad about."
Pei Zhi mocked the Fourth Prince for his ruthlessness: "My brother is indeed a man destined for great things."
"You flatter me, my royal sister."
Pei Zhi was too lazy to engage in pleasantries with the Fourth Prince: "You wouldn't come to my humble abode without a reason. Fourth Brother, is there something important you need to see me about?"
"After all, the Empress is not my sister's biological mother. Why don't you cooperate with me, my sister?"
Pei Zhi feigned curiosity: "Now that Your Majesty has lost your mother, why don't you pledge allegiance to the Empress?"
The Fourth Prince chuckled, "Why does my sister feign ignorance?"
"My mother would love to eat me alive. If I were to surrender, it would be nothing short of a joke."
Even if Consort Gao dies, these grudges will not disappear.
"I'm afraid Your Majesty overestimates me. I'm just a weak woman and there's really nothing I can do to help you."
The Fourth Prince's expression changed slightly: "It seems that my sister looks down on me?"
Pei Zhi said helplessly, "Your Majesty is joking. There is really nothing I can do to help you."
"Is my younger sister so certain that the prince adopted by the Empress will definitely ascend the throne?"
The fourth prince subtly threatened, "Does my sister truly believe that my brother's ascension to the throne is hopeless?"
Pei Zhi has already been threatened by the Empress once today.
I really didn't want to waste any more words with the Fourth Prince.
Pei Zhi replied simply and directly, "Yes."
For a moment, the fourth prince thought he was hallucinating: "What?"
"I said, I am certain that my fourth brother has no hope of ascending the throne. Does my fourth brother have anything else to say?"
"Fine, you're very good." The Fourth Prince slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Then you should hope that this prince never comes to that day, otherwise, that day will be your death day."
"No need for you to say more, Your Majesty. If it really comes to the day Your Majesty ascends the throne, I will immediately slit my throat and not trouble Your Majesty with any effort."
After driving away the fourth brother, Pei Zhi rubbed her temples.
One shouldn't be too capable, otherwise, there will be too many troubles.
After dinner, Pei Zhi wrote a letter and waited quietly for Yuan Chengyu to come over.
Yuan Chengyu saw the hot tea and was somewhat surprised. "Does the princess have guests?"
Pei Zhi poured tea into the teacup. "Aren't you my guest?"
"Did the princess know I was coming?"
"Blocking you halfway, if you don't come today, you don't need to come at all."
Hearing Pei Zhi ruthlessly expose his actions, Yuan Chengyu couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
Yuan Chengyu touched his nose. "Princess, you shouldn't drink it, or you won't be able to sleep later."
Pei Zhi pushed the teacup towards Yuan Chengyu: "This was prepared for you."
This time, Yuan Chengyu didn't refuse. After taking a sip of tea, he asked, "The Fourth Prince came to see you today? I hope it's nothing important."
Pei Zhi said in a calm tone, "Nothing, they just came to threaten and intimidate me."
Yuan Chengyu frowned slightly, then understood what was going on.
"Does the Fourth Prince want the Princess to pledge allegiance to him?"
Pei Zhi frowned at Yuan Chengyu, "Your words are really harsh."
What's this talk of loyalty and disloyalty?
Yuan Chengyu hurriedly said, "I used the wrong words and referred to tea instead of wine. Please don't be angry with me, Princess."
"When you leave later, deliver this letter to Xie Qi."
Yuan Chengyu looked at the sealed letter, hesitated for a moment, and then took it.
"When I entered the palace today, the Empress threatened me with my affair with Xie Qi to make me do something."
Yuan Chengyu's eyes widened. "How did the Empress know about your affair with Xie Qi?"
Pei Zhi remained calm: "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place."
"But it's never safe if the Empress holds a handle on you."
"What? The Empress is the head of the harem. You wouldn't dare lay a hand on her, would you?"
Yuan Chengyu pondered for a moment, "In half a month, it will be the Spring Silkworm Ceremony. According to the rules, His Majesty and the Empress must leave the palace."
"What, are you tired of living so comfortably? Trying to assassinate His Majesty, how many heads do you have?"
When His Majesty and the Empress leave the palace together, it will surely be a grand affair.
If Yuan Chengyu were to attempt an assassination now, wouldn't he be courting death?
"I truly thank you on behalf of your entire family."
"What should we do then?" Yuan Chengyu couldn't think of any other solution.
Pei Zhi advised, "I know what I'm doing. I'm telling you so you won't overthink it."
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