After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

He declined General Chen's offer to send troops to escort him. Pei Jiaoran and his party set off back to Chang'an. Along the official road, she abandoned her carriage and rode on horseback, riding faster and faster. The group finally arrived at Bashui at noon.

On the other side of Ba River, there was the prince who was ordered to lead the important ministers from three provinces and six tribes to greet him. Hearing the sound of horse hooves coming from far away, the courtiers looked towards the other side.

The team was no more than a hundred people. There are two people at the head, one of whom is wearing bright armor and riding a black horse, with the white tassel on his saddle dancing in the wind. The facial features are deep and the outline is handsome. The other one was wearing a dark purple rhombus-patterned robe, wrapped in fox fur, and holding a scepter. The oxtail on the staff shows her identity. It was Pei Shangshu who, following the emperor's edict, went to Heshuo to perform the duties of consolation.

The group of people followed Pei Jiaoran and dismounted from their horses.

Pei Jiaoran walked towards the prince with integrity and said loudly: "My servant Pei Jiaoran was sent to Heshuo by the emperor's order, and fortunately he lived up to his command. Return to the capital and enter the palace to meet the king."

In just two sentences, she said it loudly. The courtiers who originally wanted to make a big fuss out of Heshuo chose to remain silent after hearing the words "fortunately, it is not a disgrace to their fate". Then he glanced at Li Xiujing who was standing aside. The people sent by the imperial court for the second time were actually left in Heshuo by her. Instead, she came back first with her achievements.

He went out with the emperor's order and returned with the emperor's order. Several courtiers who had previously had difficulty dealing with Pei Jiaoran looked defeated. With many achievements added to him, this Pei Shangshu seems to have become the best candidate for Zhongshu Ling. If others want to compete with her, they have to show decent achievements and political level. Thinking of this, several people couldn't help but look at Jia Gonglu.

"Pei Qing has had a hard time on this trip." The prince helped Pei Jiaoran with a smile and said, "Father is already behind the throne of the Prime Minister. You all have made great achievements in this trip, and you will go to the palace with you to receive your reward."

"Here."

The prince drove in front, and officials from the three provinces and six ministries followed on horseback.

The Suzaku Gate opened wide, and everyone headed to the Li Zheng Hall together. After the announcement was made at the door, Jia, Cen and the prince entered the palace together with Pei Jiaoran to have an audience, while the others returned to the government offices. Those traveling with Pei Jiaoran will return home to rest.

Winter in Chang'an has always been cold. Emperor Wei leaned on the soft pillow on the side of the throne and closed his eyes. Next to him were Zhang Rang and two privy envoys. There was a charcoal pot beside his feet, and the charcoal was burning red. The crackling sound was particularly harsh in the palace.

The three people, led by the prince, bowed to Emperor Wei.

After waiting for a moment, Emperor Wei opened his eyes, "Well. You are finally back."

Emperor Wei's voice was a little vague, but he seemed to be expressing another meaning.

"I was ordered to go to Heshuo to express my condolences. Now that Heshuo is peaceful and king, I came here to return the scepter." After saying this, Pei Jiaoran held the scepter high above his head.

The scepter is a symbol of imperial power.

"Zhang Rang, go and put the scepter away for me and return it to the Ministry of Rites according to the regulations."

"Here."

"Return to the status of king?" Emperor Wei squinted his eyes and looked at Pei Jiaoran. He heard about what Pei Shangshu did in Heshuo. He provoked internal disputes in Wei Bo, eliminated hidden dangers in the army, and praised the new Wei Bo commander-in-chief. For him, he really couldn't fault such a move. "Only you have the ability to treat them submissively."

"The country has a virtuous government, and Wei Bo also has a ministerial heart. When I was in Weizhou, I sent people to visit the counties and villages many times, and everyone was eager to return. This enabled the new order of the imperial court to be implemented smoothly." After thinking for a moment, Pei Jiaoran folded his sleeves and bowed, "My minister I feel that although the court has new laws, people's hearts are returning. However, it is still necessary to erect a monument of virtue and governance in Heshuo to consolidate the authority of the court."

Emperor Wei's eyes opened slightly, and his originally cloudy pupils became clear at this moment. He climbed up from the couch and pulled aside the curtain hanging on the side. A brand new map was revealed, covering every part of the empire, including Tibet and the Uighurs. He held a jade staff and pointed at Weizhou. He knew that this Dezheng Monument was one of the conditions for the cooperation between the female minister and Wei Bojieshuai.

Today, Wei Botai needs a monument of virtue and politics to establish who he is to the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, it is beneficial to establish a monument of virtue and government in Wei. Didn't you promise me in the edict?"

When the voice of inquiry reached his ears, Emperor Wei closed his eyes and sighed. He had no power left to stop this. The fact that Yuan Yanchong he sent was left in Heshuo by her was the best proof. And she even had the audacity to refute his edict to establish a salt court in Heshuo and collect taxes to serve the imperial court. He also used the pretense of re-establishing Xiangxu and recruiting talents for the court to erase his ideas.

No matter how you look at this game of chess, she has the upper hand. All he can do is make a fuss about the issue of Zhongshu Ling.

"Pei Qing has had a hard time on this trip, so go back and rest. All the ministers should also go back and rest."

After hearing this, everyone bowed and said goodbye.

Outside the Li Zheng Palace. Pei Jiaoran looked at the prince with a smile, and the prince also looked at her.

"It's cold. I wonder if Your Highness can ask me to go to the East Palace to ask for a pot of wine to keep warm." Pei Jiaoran said warmly.

"Asking for a drink? I am willing to give Pei Qing this glass of wine. By coincidence, the Crown Princess is also talking about you." The Crown Prince smiled slightly.

He knew that the prince's last words were deliberately spoken for the ears of the two privy emissaries behind him. Pei Jiaoran smiled and said, "It's disrespectful."

As soon as they entered the Li Zheng Hall of the East Palace, the waiting chamberlain immediately brought the wine vessels to warm the wine for the two of them.

It was warm inside the hall.

After a while, the wine exuding a refreshing aroma was poured into the glass.

After taking a sip of the wine, Pei Jiaoran dipped his fingertips into the wine and wrote a word on the case.

"Your Highness is not kind." Pei Jiaoran's tone was slightly cold.

Looking at the gradually disappearing handwriting on the case, the prince's expression froze, "What does Pei Qing mean?"

"Your Highness, Heshuo's ministers don't care. But I hope that Your Highness can be more sober. Some people are easy to deceive, but it doesn't mean that the people next to them can't tell the difference." Pei Jiaoran said with a smile on his face, "You see, Chang'an is just like that. It's so big, but the water is very muddy now. It never hurts to be careful, don't you think?"

Her voice was soft, but the prince closed his eyes at this moment.

"I'm tired of traveling and traveling, and I'm tired. Take my leave." After saying this, Pei Jiaoran bowed his hands.

Hearing the footsteps getting closer and closer to the door, the prince opened his eyes and called out, "Pei Qing, are you here just to tell me this?"

"Your Highness, some things should not be rushed. Wouldn't it be better to have a little more patience?" Pei Jiaoran smiled slightly, "Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty even visited the thatched cottage three times in search of talents. Why should Your Highness be so impatient."

Stepping out of the main gate of Li Zheng Hall, Pei Jiaoran let out a foul breath.

Wu Xingjian was a member of the King of Wu, and she also found clues in Lu Yushi's confession that day. From this we can infer that the prince's handiwork was behind it.

There is no other reason.

King Wu didn't have the brains to think of placing people around her to deal with her. And she had no grudges with King Wu, and she had no position. King Wu had no need to offend her at the moment. After thinking about it, only His Highness the Crown Prince can do something to divert trouble to the east.

With his thoughts at this point, Pei Jiaoran rolled his eyes. I hope the prince can listen to her advice, otherwise it will be another trouble.