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

Seeing that the documents on the table were about to run out, Li Xiujing handed Pei Jiaoran a cup of cold tea. The servant who was on night watch just wanted to come in and bring him freshly brewed tea, but was refused. Now there was only half a pot of cold tea left in the room.

"Why did you spare that eunuch?" Li Xiujing asked.

Upon hearing this, Pei Jiaoran sneered, "How did Gao Cheng die?"

"Hmm?" Li Xiujing looked thoughtful and said, "Although there are two differences in the "Book of Northern Qi", they are both related to the cook Lan Jing."

"He deserves it. He could have offended anyone else but the cook. Empress Dowager Feng of Northern Wei was clear about rewards and punishments, but she just laughed it off about the bugs in the food cooked by the cook. Even when Emperor Xiaowen wanted to kill the cook, he was stopped. Gao Cheng was the eldest son that Gao Huan had high hopes for, not a mediocre fool. Unfortunately, due to his repeated carelessness, Gao Yang inadvertently seized the opportunity, took advantage of the disunity in his alliance, and used a scapegoat to complete an exquisite assassination." Pei Jiaoran looked at Li Xiujing with a smile on his face.

There is a saying in the past: "If the cook does not steal, the crops will not be harvested." It is not easy to have a qualified, loyal cook who can pass the political review. Although some people may look insignificant, they can often control your life and death. Especially for a cook who is so close to you, it is not easy to offend or cultivate him.

Another example worth learning from is the Eastern Wei general Gao Aocao. His servant Jingzhao saved him three times, but in the end, Jingzhao broke his legs because of a dream. As a result, he died under Jingzhao's request for reward.

Although the eunuch looked insignificant now, no one could guarantee that he would not be vindictive. If he had the opportunity to come into contact with food in the future, it would be a fatal crisis.

Li Xiujing said: "No wonder I often hear people say that Pei Xianggong is easy to get along with, kind to others and clear about rewards and punishments."

"I have only been in the central government for a few years. Why should I offend others because of my reckless behavior? With Wang Yu as a precedent, I naturally have to be more sober. Punishment is just a business matter and cannot be used as a way to vent emotions. Asking them to correct their mistakes is to avoid adding costs to me in the future due to the same problems. Asking them to be self-disciplined because they fear me is to enable them to take the initiative to reduce costs for me in the future." Pei Jiaoran sipped a smile on his lips.

Turning her head to look at the clock in the corner, Pei Jiaoran looked disappointed and sighed. But before she could speak, Li Xiujing opened his arms and hugged her.

"Can't I stay a little longer?" Li Xiujing murmured.

"This is the Zhongshuwai Province." Pei Jiaoran gently held Li Xiujing's face and kissed him on the lips, "I hope you don't do anything dangerous."

Looking down at Pei Jiaoran who looked calm and composed, Li Xiujing smiled and said, "What do you mean by that?"

"It's advice and also a warning." Pei Jiaoran said softly.

"It's late at night. There's no need to stay here all the time." Li Xiujing said softly, "Rest early."

Pei Jiaoran nodded his chin slightly and smiled warmly.

Standing at the door, Li Xiujing looked at Pei Jiaoran and pursed his lips slightly.

Pei Jiaoran is now a rising star, and the vague sense of alienation she feels is becoming more and more severe.

When she spoke sweet words to him, she always remained calm and composed, just like a perfect match. But he didn't know if there was a trap hidden in her words. He liked her desire for power, but he was also afraid of her desire for power. He was afraid that their relationship would collapse under the erosion of power.

But he was still willing to support her. He knew what her political ambitions were, and he also understood that only by controlling power could she realize her political ambitions and make the world a little better. And because of her, he also enjoyed the benefits that he had never tasted before, which was her return to him.

Noticing that there were still eyes lingering at the door, Pei Jiaoran suddenly looked up, only to see Li Xiujing turning around and leaving.

Pei Jiaoran shook her head and sighed as she continued to look through the documents. By the time she had finished processing the documents sent by the crown prince, it was already midnight. It was also the time for the Jinwu Guard to change shifts.

Listening to the deliberately low voices downstairs, Pei Jiaoran rubbed his forehead. He quickly washed himself with the water brought by the servants and lay down in the inner room fully clothed.

Living in the public housing of the Zhongshu Province, he was the first to hear the drum. Even though he was close, he didn't have to get up so early. But under the repeated urging of the drum on the tower, Pei Jiaoran opened his eyes with an impatient look.

When Pei Jiaoran appeared in the kitchen, the servants were still preparing food. Suddenly they saw a purple dress and were startled.

"Mr. Pei, breakfast is still being prepared. Would you like to wait a moment? I'll heat up some Hu pancakes for you to fill your stomach."

"Thank you." Pei Jiaoran smiled.

Although the Hu pancake was leftover from yesterday, it still tasted good when heated up on the stove.

It was still early, and Pei Jiaoran ate the Hu Bing slowly.

When she was halfway through eating, a black crow flew down against the light and landed on the window frame, staring at her with its dark round eyes.

"It's you again. You can't find any food, so you come to Zhongshu Province to try your luck?" Pei Jiaoran chuckled and broke the Hu pancake in his hand into pieces. "Okay, come and eat."

As soon as he finished speaking, the blue crow jumped to the table, pecking at the broken biscuits and chirping from time to time.

"If you don't like staying here, you can come back with me." Pei Jiaoran gently stroked Qingwu's back, "Don't worry, my Saker Falcon has a good temper."

Qingwu seemed to be immersed in the delicious food and did not respond to Pei Jiaoran's words.

"You are so heartless. I even specially fed you." Pei Jiaoran took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the corner of his mouth. He then pointed at Qingwu's head with his finger, "Leave after you finish eating. Otherwise, be careful that your feathers will be plucked out."

After eating and drinking its fill, the blue crow jumped back a little, spread its wings and flew out, circled once, and landed on the window frame.

The drumbeat signaling the time sounded again, and the blue crow spread its wings and flew away, disappearing without a trace.

The court meeting was held at the next hour of the morning. Pei Jiaoran sat in the public room for a while, calculating the time and rushing to the Taiji Hall.

In addition to the grand court meeting today, the outcome of the marriage between Tubo and Wei was also to be discussed. Therefore, the area in front of Chengtian Gate was particularly lively.

"Was it Mr. Pei who was on duty yesterday?" The familiar official asked in surprise when he saw her coming out of the Secretariat.

"No, it's because last night the prince sent me his recent reading experience. I thought the prince was so diligent, wouldn't it be a pity if I didn't finish reading it and give a timely reply?" Pei Jiaoran glanced at the prince's officials coming from afar, "But the prince's hard work was not in vain. Many of his insights are beyond my reach."

The officials of the Eastern Palace, led by Wei Shulin, were stunned when they heard Pei Jiaoran's words. In fact, they all knew what the homework sent by the prince was about.

Looking at Pei Jiaoran, Wei Shulin could not help but sigh. This Pei Xianggong was extremely talented, fortunately he was a friend rather than an enemy, otherwise he would be a disaster.