Emperor Pei simply closed his eyes and shook his head.
The second prince grabbed the instruments of torture from the tray and mercilessly stabbed them into Emperor Pei's body.
Yuan Chengyu stood outside the door, listening to Emperor Pei's screams.
Yuan Chengyu commented, "Even if it's their own child, they don't hold back much."
The howling was comparable to the screams he made when he used torture.
Xie Qi glanced at Yuan Chengyu, "The dosage has been increased, right?"
"Don't worry, the pills that old man took today are very potent and will definitely not be enough to make him die."
Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu stood guard outside the door, listening to Pei Di's voice gradually weakening inside.
Before long, the second prince came out from inside.
The second prince's hands were covered in blood, and he looked somewhat tired.
The Second Prince sighed deeply upon seeing Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu.
"We've used up all the instruments of torture, and my hands are aching, but this old man still won't issue the decree."
Yuan Chengyu looked at Xie Qi in a panic, signaling Xie Qi to think of a solution.
Before Xie Qi could speak, the Second Prince interjected, "He just said, barely audible, that he wanted the two of you to come in."
The second prince asked in confusion, "What could Father Emperor possibly want with you?"
Yuan Chengyu's eyes were full of confusion. Xie Qi pondered for a moment and guessed something.
But Xie Qi felt that it was unlikely.
Xie Qi cupped his hands towards the Second Prince, saying, "Since Your Majesty wishes to see me, I dare not keep Your Majesty waiting any longer."
The second prince instructed, "Alright, go ahead. Whatever Father Emperor asks, just agree to it."
Yuan Chengyu followed Xie Qi into the bedchamber.
Yuan Chengyu asked in a low voice, "What does Your Majesty intend to do?"
"Just follow behind me and don't say a word."
Yuan Chengyu was also afraid that he had said something wrong, so he nodded hurriedly.
When Emperor Pei saw the two enter, he was leaning against the couch, panting.
Although Emperor Pei's face was ashen, his eyes were sharp.
"Chang Le, are you still alive?"
Xie Qi cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I do not understand what you are saying."
Yuan Chengyu stood quietly to the side, without saying a word.
Emperor Pei sneered twice, "Well said, you don't understand."
"I really underestimated this daughter."
Emperor Pei shook his head helplessly, "She used that trick really well."
"Now I see clearly that there is no one I can rely on behind me, so I can only pass the throne to her."
Emperor Pei looked at the two of them with a mocking smile, "Do you really think Chang Le believes you?"
"Chang Le has never been betting on whether the two of you will remain loyal to her to the end, but rather on me."
Clearly, Chang Le was very lucky.
In the end, both Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu chose not to betray Chang Le and instead sided with the second brother.
In the end, Chang Le accurately predicted the emperor's thoughts.
Even if he made his second son the crown prince, so what?
The second son is mediocre and absolutely incapable of holding onto the throne.
If the imperial seal were to appear, Chang Le would have a hundred ways to seize the throne.
Emperor Pei shook his head repeatedly: "Enough, enough."
"In the end, I underestimated him. After going around in circles, I still lost to her."
Handing the throne to the second son, or even to some young child, would bring a bloody storm to the court.
Ultimately, the victor will be Chang Le.
Since that's the case, he might as well be more generous and save the court officials from suffering again.
Emperor Pei looked up and sighed, "Help me up, I want to issue an edict."
Xie Qi rushed over and helped Emperor Pei up.
Yuan Chengyu suddenly asked, "Whom does His Majesty intend to appoint?"
Xie Qi glared at Yuan Chengyu, who looked completely innocent.
"After you have prepared the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, you may leave."
Xie Qi gave Yuan Chengyu a look, signaling him to prepare.
Yuan Chengyu didn't delay and quickly had the things brought in, leaving Emperor Pei alone in the bedchamber.
A moment later, an imperial edict bearing the imperial seal was placed on the table.
The writing was done by Emperor Pei himself, and the seal impression was still wet.
Xie Qi searched the entire palace but could not find the imperial seal.
"If you want the Imperial Seal, have Chang Le come to see me in person. I want to hand it over to her personally."
The imperial edict is in Xie Qi's hands, and Xie Qi has already confirmed that the imperial seal is correct.
We're not afraid; what tricks could Emperor Pei possibly have up his sleeve?
Xie Qi immediately said, "Take some men and lock the Second Prince up in the Prince's residence. I'll go get the Princess."
The guard beside him suddenly knelt down and said, "Lord Xie, you can wait here. The princess is on her way, and the second prince has already been sent out of the palace."
Yuan Chengyu was dumbfounded. "When did you send the princess the letter?"
"His Majesty's every move will be reported to the princess."
Yuan Chengyu murmured a response, his face stiffening for a moment.
Xie Qi patted Yuan Chengyu on the shoulder, "What's wrong? Feeling disheartened?"
Yuan Chengyu twitched the corner of his mouth. "No, it's just that something feels off."
Just like what Emperor Pei said in the bedchamber, the princess has never fully trusted Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu.
The princess always had a backup plan. Even if Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu really betrayed her, it wouldn't have a significant impact on her.
Everyone in the palace was a confidante of the princess.
Xie Qi comforted Yuan Chengyu: "The princess's plans are grand, and it is only right that she has some foresight."
Yuan Chengyu was puzzled, "But I have been wholeheartedly loyal to the princess, so why does she still..."
He never intended to betray the princess and didn't understand why she didn't believe him.
"Human hearts are ever-changing, so it's only natural that the princess would have a backup plan."
Yuan Chengyu was too lazy to talk to a schemer like Xie Qi. "I have nothing to say to someone as twisted-minded as you."
Xie Qi was too lazy to waste words with Yuan Chengyu. He looked down at the robes he was wearing.
"I have some official business to attend to. You stay here and keep watch for me."
Yuan Chengyu agreed without suspicion: "Okay."
About a quarter of an hour later, Yuan Chengyu did not see Xie Qi, but instead saw the princess.
Although Yuan Chengyu said he felt uncomfortable, when he actually saw the princess, he couldn't help but excitedly step forward to greet her.
"Welcome, Princess."
Pei Zhi personally helped Yuan Chengyu up, saying, "Ayu, thank you for your hard work."
All the dissatisfaction vanished instantly when the princess said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Yuan Chengyu shook his head abruptly, “It’s not hard work. Being able to serve the princess is not hard work at all.”
Pei Zhi smiled at Yuan Chengyu and gestured for him to stand next to her.
After Yuan Chengyu stood still, he watched as Xie Qi walked gracefully toward the princess.
Yuan Chengyu's eyes widened, and he cursed inwardly, "Xie Qi, that scoundrel."
Xie Qi had just said he had official business, but he actually went to change into a light blue robe.
Xie Qi walked up to Pei Zhi, knelt down, and presented the imperial edict personally written by Emperor Pei with both hands.
"Your subject pays respects to the Crown Princess."
Pei Zhi took the imperial edict with one hand, opened it, and after seeing its contents, he smiled with satisfaction.
Finally, her scheme paid off, and her wish came true.
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