"And what about your affair with Xie Qi?"
Empress: "Aren't you worried that I'll go to His Majesty and tell him that you and Xie Qi have been having an affair?"
"Mother, I am a princess, and Xie Qi is a subject."
"Mother, please go ahead. If Father questions you, it will only be about that little thing."
Pei Zhi shrugged, "I thought Xie Qi was handsome, so I took him to sleep. How big of a mistake could that be?"
"Would Father Emperor really execute me for something so trivial?"
Pei Zhi lowered her voice and said, "At that time, Father will understand why Grand Secretary Xie suddenly became the thirteenth brother's teacher."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's face turned terribly pale.
Pei Zhi is no longer someone she can manipulate.
Yes, about Pei Zhi and Xie Qi's affair.
Ultimately, it's nothing more than the private matters between men and women.
Pei Zhi found Xie Qi handsome and began a relationship with him.
If His Majesty finds out, he will at most scold him a couple of times.
Since Pei Zhi no longer has a biological brother, her relationship with Xie Qi and the Xie family is not a big deal and does not cross His Majesty's bottom line.
The Empress asked in bewilderment, "Then why did you obey my orders that day, allowing the thirteenth prince to successfully become Grand Secretary Xie's disciple?"
"Mother, now is not the time for you to worry about these things. Your brother and nephew are both dismissed from their posts and at home."
Pei Zhi reminded the Empress, "I guess three days should be enough, right? In three days, the Ministry of Justice might come knocking and throw your brother and nephew into prison."
The Empress gritted her teeth and looked at Pei Zhi, clearly not intending to admit defeat so easily.
"Perhaps Your Majesty thinks three days is too long? Your son can also help Your Majesty urge it to be two days, or even one day?"
The Empress firmly stated, "His Majesty will not punish the Zhong family."
"When His Majesty ascended the throne, it was my Zhong family who supported him."
Pei Zhi seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. "Since Mother trusts Father so much, then I shall take my leave."
"As Your Majesty's nominal legitimate daughter, I will offer incense to my uncle and brother on the seventh day after their deaths."
Seeing Pei Zhi get up and about to leave Changqiu Palace, the Empress finally couldn't hold back any longer.
What exactly do you want?
The Empress couldn't understand why Pei Zhi, a princess, would oppose her, the Empress.
"As long as you help me save the Zhong family this time, after the thirteenth prince ascends the throne, I will definitely have him bestow upon you the title of Princess, so that you can enjoy honor for the rest of your life."
Pei Zhi seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Mother," Pei Zhi shook her head after laughing, "how can you still be so naive at a time like this?"
Putting everything else aside, where did the Empress get her confidence that the thirteenth prince would ascend the throne?
Just because she's the Empress? The thirteenth prince is registered under her name, so he's considered the legitimate son?
She and the Empress have already fallen out; what will happen when the thirteenth prince truly ascends the throne?
The Empress is determined to vent her anger; how could she possibly grant her any honor?
Do they really think Pei Zhi is a fool?
"Mother, you have been in the Empress's palace for so many years. Do you think I should believe what you say?"
"Then what do you intend to do?" the Empress asked, puzzled. "You're going against me; are you planning to side with the Fourth Prince?"
"Mother, you are the Empress, the most noble woman in the world. Do you think that women should rely on men to stand on their own?"
The empress seemed to realize something, and her expression turned to one of utter astonishment.
"Don't be delusional. You're just a woman, you..."
Pei Zhi put her index finger to her lips and made a "shh" gesture.
Pei Zhi said calmly, "Your subject didn't say anything."
Pei Zhi reminded her, "Give Mother two days. If Mother has thought it through, write a letter, and I am willing to spare my uncle and elder brother's lives."
The Empress was deeply moved as she watched Pei Zhi leave.
The Empress naturally understood what Pei Zhi meant by those words.
The Empress sat down dejectedly, pondering what she should do now.
The relationship between Pei Zhi and Xie Qi is unclear.
With Xie Qi now serving in the Ministry of Justice, the life and death of his brother and nephew truly depended on Pei Zhi's word.
If the Zhong family falls from power, she wants to support the thirteenth prince to ascend the throne. However, as an empress, it would be extremely difficult for her to do so.
Pei Zhi, a woman, has managed to get to where she is today step by step.
Pei Zhi has now captured Xie Qi and is using him for her own purposes.
Yuan Chengyu also had a close relationship with Pei Zhi, so she might help him out.
Pei Zhi's hope may not be without a chance.
Upon careful consideration, the Empress realized that she had no other choice at all.
Without helping Pei Zhi, she would have a hard time succeeding.
Of her nephews and nieces, it's unknown how many will survive.
Pei Zhineng went from being a princess with nothing to where she is today.
It's uncertain whether Pei Zhi will be able to get what she wants.
That evening, the thirteenth prince developed a high fever at Changqiu Palace.
The Empress consulted the Imperial Observatory, which stated that there was no mother-son relationship between the Empress and the Thirteenth Prince.
If forced to do so, the thirteenth prince's life would likely be in danger.
For the safety of the thirteenth prince, the empress sent him back to his wet nurse for care.
Furthermore, the Empress stated that for the safety of the princes, no more princes would be adopted in the future.
Pei Zhi was having lunch when she heard the news.
What followed was the Empress's secret letter.
The letter contained only a few words, and after reading it, Pei Zhi burned it.
From the moment the Empress took the thirteenth prince away from her side, Pei Zhi knew that the Empress had made her choice.
Pei Zhi went to the study, and Qin Xiangyang ground ink for her.
After writing the letter, he put it in an envelope, and Qin Xiangyang took it and dripped wax on it.
When Qin Xiangyang saw Pei Zhi about to ring the bell, he quickly pressed down on Pei Zhi's hand.
"Should this letter be delivered to the Crown Prince?"
"Um."
Qin Xiangyang volunteered: "I'll go and deliver it in place of the princess. I also have something to do and need to go out."
Qin Xiangyang wanted to give it to her, and Pei Zhi didn't stop him.
Pei Zhi guessed that Qin Xiangyang must have something to say to Yuan Chengyu.
Pei Zhi handed the letter to Qin Xiangyang, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."
Qin Xiangyang said somewhat displeased, "I've been married to the princess for so long, why is she still being so polite?"
Pei Zhi understood Qin Xiangyang's meaning, "I won't do it again."
No sooner had Qin Xiangyang left than Qin's mother arrived at the princess's residence.
They said their boat had caught a batch of fresh hairy crabs and they were sending them over for Pei Zhi to try.
Qin's mother is, after all, Pei Zhi's mother-in-law. Even if Pei Zhi is a princess, she still needs to be polite on the surface.
Qin's mother bowed to Pei Zhi, who then asked someone to offer her a seat.
After the two chatted about everyday matters for a while, Qin's mother changed the subject, "The second wife's younger sister gave birth to twins a few days ago. Would the Third Princess like to attend the baby's first birthday celebration?"
Pei Zhi put down her teacup and smiled, "Twins? How lucky!"
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