As soon as the medicine was brought in, Madam Xie was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly.
Moreover, the medicine hasn't even been taken yet; you can smell the bitterness just by looking at it.
The imperial physician saw that Grand Secretary Xie's face was ashen and said, "Grand Secretary Xie, rest assured, centipedes are a medicinal ingredient. After taking this bowl of medicine, Grand Secretary Xie will surely be cured of all his ailments."
Grand Secretary Xie asked, "What if I don't get better?"
The imperial physician smiled and said, "Then naturally the medicine is not suitable for the condition. I can only prepare the medicine for the Grand Secretary again."
Grand Secretary Xie picked up the medicine bowl, closed his eyes, and drank it all in one gulp.
The medicine was so bitter that Grand Secretary Xie couldn't hold it in and vomited it all up.
The imperial physician calmly replied, "Oh dear, what a pity. I can only brew another bowl."
Madam Xie took a handkerchief to wipe Xie Ge Lao's mouth, "Quickly, quickly, bring some candied fruit or pastries."
Suddenly, a soldier standing nearby spoke up, "Lord Xie is ill, so let's skip these sweets."
Madam Xie then said, "Then, get some food. We haven't had breakfast yet."
The officers replied, "Grand Secretary Xie is still ill and probably can't eat."
Madam Xie was completely dumbfounded. "What does this mean? You're not letting your father eat?"
Xie Qi sat on a chair to the side and said, "It's normal for Father to have no appetite when he's sick."
Madam Xie stepped forward and slapped Xie Qi hard on the shoulder. "What are you saying? He is your father."
Xie Qi picked up the teapot, poured a cup of water, and personally handed it to Grand Secretary Xie, saying, "Father, although you can't eat, you can still drink water."
Grand Secretary Xie pushed away the teacup in front of him. "Is this all the princess has to offer?"
Why resort to such despicable tactics as withholding food to force them to submit?
"Indeed, the method is too simplistic. Let's see how long Father can hold out."
Grand Secretary Xie glared at Xie Qi, "Xie Qi, I am your father."
"Father, what are you saying? You are of course my father. If anything were to happen to you, the entire Xie family would be buried with you, including me, your son."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xie couldn't help but tremble.
"My lord, what should we do?"
Grand Secretary Xie calmly said, "The Xie family has been a clan for centuries. I simply don't believe that the princess truly possesses such courage. Isn't she afraid of being ridiculed by scholars across the land?"
Xie Qi replied, "Then Father must take good care of his health and see if the princess dares to do it."
Since Pei Zhi wants to ascend to the throne, killing as many people as he wants to achieve that position is insignificant.
On the first day of the siege of the government office by government troops, some officials could no longer withstand the pressure.
Three days later, half of the officials had recovered from their "illness" and were back in court.
Half of the officials, however, were unwilling to bow down to Pei Zhi, a woman.
Pei Zhi used the Blood Droplets, which were the eyes and ears of emperors throughout history.
Even if these officials claim to be incorruptible, everyone makes mistakes.
Pei Zhi first severely punished several honest officials, all of whom were guilty of minor offenses.
For example, some of the memorials submitted in the past had problems.
For example, there were some minor errors in the cases we handled.
As long as a person is alive, how can they not make mistakes?
Pei Zhi observed that these mistakes were not serious and should be dealt with leniently.
These officials should each be given a severe beating, as a warning to others.
I haven't eaten for three days, and I was already extremely weak.
They were then given another twenty strokes of the cane, and two officials left that very night.
The ladies and children in the mansion were all heartbroken and terrified, and they all followed them in death.
Upon hearing the news, Pei Zhi was deeply saddened. The funeral arrangements for these two officials must be held with great solemnity.
The other officials, seeing the funeral banners passing by the mansion and the paper money filling the sky, began to feel weak all over.
It was just a small matter, and so much time has passed.
The fact that the princess was singled out and punished is clearly a case of making an example of someone.
The ministers who are still locked in a stalemate are always afraid that this will be their fate.
When Grand Secretary Xie learned of this, he was furious.
"Is she trying to destroy the very foundation of the imperial court?"
Xie Qi countered, "Father, what do you think the princess should be like?"
"The princess is already ruling from behind the curtain. If she can't control the situation, will she have any chance of survival in the future?"
If Pei Zhi hesitates and cannot bring herself to act ruthlessly at this moment, then she is cutting off her own escape route.
Pei Zhi couldn't control these court officials, so he lost.
Losing means certain death, so Pei Zhi will stop at nothing to save her life.
Pei Zhi would not hesitate to kill even dozens of officials, let alone a few.
It is better for a subject to die than for oneself to die.
"I will absolutely not back down. I will summon all the ministers right now, and we will kneel before Xuanwu Gate even if it costs us our lives. I want the whole world to see that I refuse to believe that a mere princess can kill all of us."
Xie Qi took two steps back. "If Father wants to go, I will absolutely not stop him."
"But Father, you must think this through. If you leave, even if you survive, when you return, there will be no one left alive in the entire household."
"The princess will spare your life out of consideration for your status, but she will teach your father a lesson."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xie immediately stepped forward to stop Grand Secretary Xie.
"My lord, you mustn't! My lord!"
Madam Xie simply knelt down in front of Grand Secretary Xie, saying, "In the end, it's all the Pei family's territory. What difference does it make who we're loyal to?"
"Are you really going to risk your whole family's lives?"
Grand Secretary Xie replied, "I don't believe she would dare to do such a thing!"
Madam Xie's eyes were blurry with tears. "My lord, please open your eyes and look. The paper money outside our gate hasn't been swept away yet."
"How many people have died? Sir, do you really want to leave the Xie family with only you left before you realize the error of your ways?"
Madam Xie looked at Xie Qi, "Qi, you should try to persuade your father."
"Since Father has made up his mind, then let him go."
Madam Xie looked pale, while Grand Secretary Xie changed his clothes and went to his study to retrieve his letters.
He wrote several letters and had the gatekeeper deliver them.
Madam Xie paced back and forth in the courtyard. "Aqi, your father is stubborn and inflexible. You must think of a way to help him."
“You have many younger brothers and sisters who are not yet married, not to mention your grandfather is getting old.”
Xie Qi calmly replied, "Mother, there is no need to worry."
“I suspect that no official would be willing to go with my father.”
“My father couldn’t see the situation clearly and was unwilling to bow his head, but not all officials are like my father.”
Madam Xie sighed, "How could your father not see clearly?"
Madam Xie said, "He just can't let go of his pride, that's why he's going to be stubborn for a while."
As the head of all officials, Xie Ge Lao was not unwilling to promote Pei Zhi to the position.
What Grand Secretary Xie needed was for Pei Zhi to come to his residence and beg him.
After repeated requests and pleas, Grand Secretary Xie stepped in to help Pei Zhi stabilize the situation.
Xie Qi shook his head, "It's just a pity that the princess is a ruthless person."
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