Yuan Chengyu immediately understood Pei Zhi's arrangement.
Yuan Chengyu couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "The princess truly plans a hundred steps ahead for every one she takes."
As long as the Xie family exposes the Zhong family, at least in His Majesty's eyes, the Xie family will not be on the side of the Empress.
Yuan Chengyu looked at the account book in his hand and hesitated, "Is there anything the princess can do for me?"
Yuan Chengyu simply felt that after returning to the capital, there seemed to be nothing he could do to help the princess.
Qin Xiangyang was able to help the princess find evidence of the Zhong family's crimes.
Could it be that his only purpose is to help the princess and Xie Qi deliver messages?
"Of course you're useful."
Pei Zhi kept everyone in suspense, saying, "However, it's not the right time yet."
Before Yuan Chengyu could say anything more, Qin Xiangyang's voice came from outside the study door.
Yuan Chengyu felt a moment of unease. "Princess, if you have no further instructions, I shall take my leave."
Pei Zhi didn't try to stop Yuan Chengyu from leaving: "Okay."
When Yuan Chengyu went out, he ran into Qin Xiangyang again.
Yuan Chengyu didn't dare to look at Qin Xiangyang, he just nodded hurriedly and left immediately.
Qin Xiangyang brought over a bowl of soup and handed it to Pei Zhi, saying, "I had this soup when I went to the local area this time. It tasted very good, so I brought the chef back with me. Princess, please try it."
"You're so thoughtful."
Pei Zhi took the spoon, took a bite, and the taste was indeed extraordinary.
Seeing that Pei Zhi had eaten quite a lot, Qin Xiangyang's smile became even brighter.
"I'm free for a bit, I'm planning to go home for a visit."
Qin Xiangyang has returned; he just sent someone to the Qin family to deliver a message.
Qin Xiangyang himself hasn't gone back yet.
Pei Zhi nodded after hearing this, "Go ahead."
Pei Zhi thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you need me to come with you?"
"No need, Your Highness, please continue with your work. I'll go back and have a meal with my family, then I'll be right back."
Pei Zhi didn't insist. "Alright, take more things back with you. There's a set of hairpins in the storeroom that I brought back from Solo. You can share them with your unmarried sisters."
"Okay, I thank you on their behalf, sister-in-law."
Pei Zhi nodded slightly, then picked up a book from the side.
Qin Xiangyang stared at Pei Zhi for a while, and seeing that Pei Zhi had nothing to say to him, Qin Xiangyang turned and left.
Hearing the study door close, Pei Zhi finally looked up from her book.
Pei Zhi knew that Qin Xiangyang was waiting for her to speak.
But what can Pei Zhi say?
While you were out running errands for me, I found two people to cheer myself up.
Pei Zhizhen really wanted to learn from those men who openly and honestly took concubines.
How do they manage to speak without feeling ashamed?
Pei Zhi was incapable; Pei Zhi felt guilty.
Qin Xiangyang helped her with the matter. Although Qin Xiangyang didn't say it, Pei Zhi knew that Qin Xiangyang must have put in a lot of effort.
Pei Zhi clicked her tongue. "Why don't we just be cowards?"
Let Qin Xiangyang and Yuan Chengyu confront each other themselves?
But wouldn't that make her seem even more despicable? It would make her seem like she lacks responsibility.
After leaving the princess's residence, Yuan Chengyu immediately went to the Xie residence.
The item was handed to Xie Qi, who glanced at it and said he understood.
Yuan Chengyu hadn't left yet; he was sitting opposite Xie Qi, constantly shaking his leg.
"No, I'd be too ashamed to go to the princess's residence now."
Xie Qi hummed in agreement. "I know, thieves are always feeling guilty."
Just as Yuan Chengyu was about to nod in agreement, Xie Qi had accurately predicted his thoughts, when Yuan Chengyu suddenly realized something was wrong.
"What, am I the only one who feels guilty? Aren't you guilty?"
If he's not a good person, then is Xie Qi some kind of good person?
He knew perfectly well that he and the princess had an ambiguous relationship.
Xie Qi still wants to interfere? Isn't Xie Qi the shameless one?
Xie Qi retorted, "What do I have to be ashamed of? I had no choice, you did it voluntarily."
Yuan Chengyu pointed at Xie Qi with a finger, showing some integrity, but Xie Qi was right, and Yuan Chengyu didn't know how to refute him.
Yuan Chengyu sighed, "What do we do now?"
"You have a lot of ideas, why don't you think of a way to solve this?"
"The best way is to get the princess to tell Qin Xiangyang."
Xie Qi added, "But you don't want to make things difficult for the princess."
Xie Qi's words truly struck a chord with Pei Zhi.
"It is my love for the princess that has earned her acceptance of me; this is already an immense favor. How could I trouble her with something like this?"
"Oh," Xie Qi replied. "Then you'll have to figure it out yourself."
Yuan Chengyu said with dissatisfaction, "Shouldn't the two of us be on the same side?"
"I don't care." Xie Qi leaned back in his chair. "So what if Qin Xiangyang found out? What can he do about it?"
Upon hearing Xie Qi's words, Yuan Chengyu exclaimed in shock, "You are truly shameless."
"Since you've already stolen it, and you plan to keep stealing, what's there to be ashamed of?"
Yuan Chengyu suddenly stood up and moved closer to Xie Qi, saying, "I've noticed that you're really shameless."
"Get out of my way." Xie Qi lightly kicked Yuan Chengyu. "Tomorrow, you take me to the princess's residence. I'll go there and everything will be resolved."
Yuan Chengyu asked doubtfully, "Really?"
"Or you can handle it?"
Yuan Chengyu immediately shut up and didn't dare to say another word.
The following day, Yuan Chengyu picked up Xie Qi and led him into the princess's residence through a secret passage.
Before coming out this time, Yuan Chengyu first observed the area with a shifty look.
Once he confirmed that Qin Xiangyang was not around, Yuan Chengyu came out.
Xie Qi straightened his clothes. "You actually put on an act when I said you stole it?"
Yuan Chengyu said helplessly, "I was just thinking it would be better to avoid it, wasn't it?"
He came yesterday and he's coming again today; Yuan Chengyu is truly afraid to see Qin Xiangyang.
The servants in the princess's residence all knew Yuan Chengyu.
Yuan Chengyu hired someone to ask where the princess was, and then, familiar with the place, led Xie Qi to the flower room to find the princess.
After Pei Zhi moved in, she added a greenhouse and would spend a while there every day when the sun was shining.
"Alright, you can leave me here. I can go in by myself."
At the entrance of the greenhouse, Xie Qi told Yuan Chengyu to just lead the way here.
Yuan Chengyu didn't think much of it. "Okay, I'll go to the study. Come find me when you're done."
Xie Qi responded and waited for Yuan Chengyu to turn and leave before entering the flower room.
Pei Zhi was inside drinking tea and playing chess.
"Why is the princess playing chess alone?"
Pei Zhi wasn't surprised to see Xie Qi arrive. "There's no one I've thought of."
"How about we play a game of handball?"
Pei Zhi put down the black chess piece in her hand. "Of course."
Xie Qi suggested, "Playing chess alone is boring. How about we add some stakes?"
Pei Zhi looked at Xie Qi, signaling him to speak.
"I think this orchid of yours is quite nice, Princess. If I win, I would be grateful if you would part with it?"
Pei Zhi looked at the flowers beside her. These flowers were brought back by Qin Xiangyang this time. They were of excellent quality and priceless.
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