Pei Minxue looked directly at Shang Huai, but then he understood.
If Shang Huai were truly that naive, he would have died on the battlefield long ago and wouldn't be alive now.
Although Shang Huai's smile had a somewhat nonchalant air about it, he said, "The Empress Dowager thinks she can rely on the favors she received from me before."
"I hope that this time, I can send troops to help her seize power."
Shang Huai shrugged. "Putting everything else aside, if I really dared to say that, Zhizhi wouldn't forgive me, let's not even talk about that for now."
“My grandparents and my father could beat me to death with sticks.”
Pei Minxue breathed a sigh of relief, "But in this way, you and the Empress Dowager have completely broken off relations?"
Shang Huai shrugged indifferently, "Even if we break up, it won't have much of an impact."
Shang Huai asked, "Could it be that the Empress Dowager can help me marry Zhizhi?"
Xiao Chengci tapped the table. "Alright, since you're alright, you can go back now."
“You have already rejected the Empress Dowager, so you are of no use to her anymore.”
"She doesn't want to see you anymore either."
Shang Huai nodded, "Okay, I'll go protect Zhizhi."
Xiao Chengci snorted and ignored Shang Huai.
After Shang Huai left, Pei Minxue observed His Majesty's expression.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, it would be better to leave some people to guard the Empress Dowager closely, in order to prevent any accidents from happening?"
Xiao Chengci rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit of a headache.
"I don't understand, what exactly does the Empress Dowager want to do?"
Pei Minxue was silent for a moment, then said, "Perhaps the Empress Dowager feels that you have escaped her control?"
"His Majesty rejected all her requests, so it's normal for her to be dissatisfied."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengci almost laughed in anger.
"Of all the demands she made, tell me, which one of them could I possibly agree to?"
"Father's intention is to have me issue an edict to have the two imperial concubines buried with him."
"My father personally held my hand and told me that after his death, none of the women in the harem would need to be buried with him."
“Those with children should have their children take them to live with them and take care of them, or live out their old age in the palace.”
"My father has just died, how can I disobey his decree?"
Pei Minxue responded, "Yes, His Majesty is truly unable to fulfill the Empress Dowager's request."
Xiao Chengci pursed his lips and waved his hand.
"Give the order to have the palace servants keep a close watch on the Empress Dowager at all times."
"They must keep watch in shifts and not be distracted for even a moment. If the Empress Dowager causes any more problems, I will cut off their heads."
Pei Minxue hesitated for a moment, "What if the Empress Dowager strongly refuses?"
Your Majesty means that even when the Empress Dowager is resting, someone should still be watching over her.
Even someone as esteemed as the Empress Dowager would certainly make a scene in this situation.
"Let her make a scene, as long as she doesn't commit suicide."
"In the Empress Dowager's bedroom, all sharp objects were put away, so the Empress Dowager could do whatever she wanted."
"If she faints from anger, have the imperial physician examine her. If it's nothing serious, tell them not to contact me."
"If they collude with the Empress Dowager to deceive me again, as they did last time, I will show them absolutely no mercy this time."
Pei Minxue cupped his hands in response and hurried off to give instructions.
The Empress Dowager gained nothing from this move.
The Empress Dowager originally thought that there was an old feud between Shang Huai and His Majesty.
Over the years, her aunt had treated Shang Huai quite well.
One reason is naturally the stronghold of businesses in the north.
On the one hand, it's because Shang Huai is her sister's only child, so there's some blood relation involved.
The Empress Dowager wanted Shang Huai to see the tragic state of her failed suicide attempt. She was going to stir things up and make Shang Huai the one to take the lead.
Use Shang Huai's military power to negotiate with His Majesty.
Xiao Chengci had only been on the throne for a short time and certainly did not want war to break out in the capital.
The Empress Dowager was surprised that Shang Huai would not help her, and even secretly mocked her.
He could see that his own son was getting impatient with him.
The Empress Dowager could no longer rely on Shang Huai.
The Empress Dowager leaned against the bed, her face turning somewhat gloomy.
Both of them are incredibly talented.
They've grown up and become independent, so they're no longer willing to follow her orders.
Since she's having a hard time, then Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai shouldn't expect to have an easy time either.
Xiao Chengci is the ruler of the land, and the Empress Dowager doesn't have the audacity to send someone to harm him.
Shang Huai was a veteran of the battlefield, and not only was he highly skilled, but he was also always accompanied by skilled soldiers from the government forces.
Moreover, even if all the people were used to kill Shang Huai, it would not be enough to appease the Empress Dowager's hatred.
What the Empress Dowager wanted to do was to make Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai live with regret for the rest of their lives.
Don't they both claim to be deeply affectionate?
A few years ago, Pei Zhi died, and they were devastated.
Over the years, both of them have remained celibate for the sake of a deceased woman.
This time, let's go all the way and make them lose their beloved and suffer for the rest of their lives.
The pain of gaining something and then losing it must be something they will regret for the rest of their lives.
The Empress Dowager beckoned, signaling for her attendants to come over.
After hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the nanny hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, if everyone is mobilized..."
"I'm afraid it'll be easy to trace the matter back to the Empress."
The old woman advised, "Why don't we look for another way? There are plenty of people who want to be loyal to Your Highness."
The Empress Dowager shook her head. "No, this matter has only one chance. It must succeed; failure is not an option."
The Empress Dowager leaned lazily against the pillows, saying, "I'm not afraid of their investigation."
"I never intended to hide. All I wanted was to kill him with one blow."
"I am the Empress Dowager, the Emperor's birth mother."
"Even if His Majesty knows that it was I who killed that woman, so what?"
The Empress Dowager's expression turned grim. "Could it be that he would kill his own mother? Unless, of course, his reign as emperor has come to an end."
Since things had already fallen apart, the Empress Dowager didn't care anymore, and her relationship with Xiao Chengci was going to deteriorate even further.
No matter the circumstances, Xiao Chengci would not kill her, the Empress Dowager.
The old woman still advised the Empress to think twice: "His Majesty's harem is empty, why is Your Majesty doing this?"
"He was aloof and left his harem empty, just to wait for this woman."
"He was completely devoted to this woman, but he was ruthless and cruel to his own mother."
"Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless."
The Empress Dowager said confidently, "Even if His Majesty wants to settle accounts with me later..."
"Find some people and leak information about this witch's actions."
"She misled His Majesty and Shang Huai. I executed her for the sake of peace and tranquility in the land."
"At that time, even if Your Majesty wants to cause trouble for me, all the civil and military officials in the court will plead for me."
Seeing that things had come to this point and the Empress Dowager had even made arrangements for her future, the nanny stopped trying to persuade her.
Pei Zhi, who was in the Pei residence, suddenly sneezed.
A gust of wind blew in through the window, making Pei Zhi feel a little cold.
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