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

Cen Xi had been in the government for so many years. Although he was kind to others and did not compete with Jia Gonglu for power, it did not mean that he would be bullied. Hearing this, Cen Xi frowned.

Putting down the teacup, Cen Xi sighed, "Since this matter involves so many aspects, we need to consider it carefully."

As a husband who was born as a military commander, he naturally understood the key points better than others. The first step of a coup d'état was to control the palace. As Pei Jiaoran said, once something happened, Zhang Rang took the lead in controlling the palace, and all their actions would no longer be legitimate.

"Why don't we pick a time to get together? This knife is hanging over our heads all the time, which really makes us sleep uneasy." Pei Jiaoran raised the corners of his lips and said softly, "Your Majesty's complexion seems to be getting worse day by day. Lord Cen should make a decision as soon as possible."

They are now on the same boat with the crown prince. Although the power of the Southern Court has improved, it is still not comparable to the Northern Court. If the crown prince successfully ascends the throne, they, the officials of the Eastern Palace, will also receive corresponding rewards in the future. But now that Zhang Rang can open the palace gates at night, it is extremely dangerous for them.

It is human instinct to avoid danger, but eliminating the danger is also essential.

"Mr. Pei, where did you hear about this?" Cen Xi asked.

When asked, Pei Jiaoran said, "I saw Zhang Rang's carriage in Pingkangfang yesterday. Today I sent someone to inquire, and a young eunuch in the stable said that he saw Zhang Rang coming back at midnight last night. I think this is a serious matter, so I came to report it."

"Is this person trustworthy?"

"Whether you can believe it or not, Lord Cen, this matter is worthy of your and my vigilance. Otherwise, will we have to wait until the butcher's knife falls before we notice it?"

Hearing the sarcasm in her tone, Cen Xi smiled and shook his head.

Glancing at the clock in the corner of the room, Pei Jiaoran said, "I have been here for a long time, so I will take my leave first. Mr. Cen, please set a time to meet as soon as possible."

After leaving Menxia Province, Pei Jiaoran was not in a hurry to return to Zhongshuwai Province. Instead, he walked along Chengtianmen Street and went to the Jinwuwei guard post.

The post of General Guards was originally under the jurisdiction of the 16 guards of the Southern Court, but was merged into the Jinwu Guards over time. The post of Grand General Guards was also abolished, leaving only the left and right generals of the gate, the lieutenant of the gate, and the lieutenant general of the gate.

After reporting her identity in front of the guard post, Pei Jiaoran ordered the leading soldier to take her to find General Chen.

General Chen, who was resting in his room, went out to greet Pei Jiaoran as soon as he heard that she had arrived. He led her in and personally served her tea.

"Mr. Pei, please have some tea." General Chen looked reserved.

Glancing at the tea in front of him, Pei Jiaoran said, "To make a long story short, I came here to know who was on duty at each palace gate last night."

"This..." General Chen looked embarrassed and thought for a while, "Please wait here and I will get it for you."

Pei Jiaoran was left alone in the room.

Pei Jiaoran rubbed her forehead as she looked around. It wasn't that she wanted to make this trip on purpose, but she wanted to know who was on duty as soon as possible. This would also allow her to be on guard and have a target to target if she wanted to find an opportunity to eliminate these people in the future.

The sound of the Jinwu Guards' training came from outside the window. Pei Jiaoran stroked the lines on her sleeves with her fingers, her eyes slightly lowered. Sometimes, she still wanted to use the power of the Jinwu Guards. After all, the Southern Court was the one that had a close relationship with her.

As she was thinking, she heard hurried footsteps outside. Turning around, she saw General Chen standing at the door, panting, with a book in his arms.

"Mr. Pei, this is the register you asked for. The names of the soldiers on duty at the palace gates last night are all recorded on it." General Chen handed over the register.

Pei Jiaoran took the register and flipped through it. She bit the pen and paper and wrote down everything as she flipped through it. Before long, the paper was filled with her notes.

Looking at the name on the paper, General Chen asked in surprise, "Mr. Pei, what's this?"

"Nothing." Pei Jiaoran handed the register back, "General Chen, don't tell anyone about what happened today. Just pretend I was never here."

"I understand. Mr. Pei, I will take you out." General Chen nodded.

"Mr. Pei?"

As soon as the two of them went out, they heard a soft call from behind.

Turning around and seeing Lu Zheng and Xu Yan, Pei Jiaoran smiled.

"General Xu, General Lu." Pei Jiaoran called with a smile.

"Mr. Pei, why didn't anyone inform us that you were here?" Xu Yan walked forward to greet him while glancing at General Chen beside him.

Pei Jiaoran smiled when he heard this, "I have some questions from other provinces to ask General Chen. General Xu is busy with official duties, so I don't want to bother him."

Ever since she learned from Li Xiujing last time that Xu Jian intended to sow discord between Shen Ce and Jinwu Guard, she has disliked this person.

"It is fate. Zhengyuan, come and see Mr. Pei off." Xu Yan said.

Lu Zheng sent him out the door.

The two stood side by side at the gate of the guard post, and Pei Jiaoran looked at Lu Zheng in front of him with interest. He pursed his lips and looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"General Lu, if you have anything to say, just say it." Pei Jiaoran looked around, "It's no use hiding anything."

"Why don't you come to me, but General Chen? There are risks in coming to him, there is no risk in coming to me." Lu Zheng said.

Hearing Lu Zheng's muffled voice, Pei Jiaoran shook his head, "Some things may not work if I ask you, and I don't want to attract attention. General Lu, just send me here."

Pei Jiaoran left after saying this. She had come to General Chen to bring up this relationship again so that she could get the benefits she deserved. If she entrusted it to Lu Zheng, that would be another matter.

After all, there was no interest exchange between Lu Zheng and her. His helping her was equivalent to her owing him a favor. Going deeper, she would also have to have an interest exchange with the Wujun Lu family. There were too many wealthy families in Jiangnan who had interest exchanges with her, and the political feedback she gave them had to be equal enough to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

While she was thinking, Pei Jiaoran had already returned to Chengtianmen Street. She looked up at the sun in the sky, and the scorching sunlight was so bright that she couldn't open her eyes.

After standing in the summer sun for a while, Pei Jiaoran turned around and headed towards the East Palace.

As the prince's tutor, she did not need to pass on information to other levels. She only needed to be led by the eunuchs of the Eastern Palace to the Lizheng Hall, and then the eunuchs there would inform the prince.

At this moment, only the Crown Prince and Wei Shulin were in the Eastern Palace.

Seeing Pei Jiaoran coming in, the prince was surprised and asked, "Is Pei Qing here to review my homework today?"

Pei Jiaoran raised his head after putting on his robes and paying his respects. "Your Highness has done such a good job in his studies, why would he need my guidance? I came here today to report something important."

"What's the matter?" The prince looked at her with interest.

She concealed the fact that she knew from Yuan Zhengze that Zhang Rang opened the palace gate at night, and only reported to the prince that Zhang Rang opened the palace gate at night and entered and left the palace. She also handed over the list she copied from the Jinwu Guard.