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

The prince stared at her and fell into deep thought. He knew that her purpose in doing this was to ensure that he was excluded from the plan. At a specific time, Zhang Rang's men could be replaced without anyone noticing and would not arouse anyone's suspicion. The risk of implementing this plan was that it would easily cause chaos within the Jinwu Guards.

The Jinwu Guard was originally built with the help of the children of aristocratic families, and any disturbance in the internal order would also mean offending the families behind them. But even if Zhang Rang noticed it afterwards, it would be difficult to change anything.

Pei Jiaoran's strategy was of great benefit to her own reputation and the prince's party. Even as she said, if something happened later, they would not become the butchers on the table.

The interference in personnel matters was an extremely clever arrangement that would not alert the enemy and would ensure that the party had room to fight back. It also changed the situation of the Jinwu Guards and allowed them to compete with various forces in the court. This strategy also slightly curbed the role of the prime minister in the Southern Court and provided an additional guarantee for the imperial power.

These three points did not harm his own interests at all. The only thing that made him feel unsatisfactory was that he could not suppress Zhang Rang and Jia Gonglu. It is true that these two were pawns cultivated by the emperor to check and balance the aristocratic families, but their development has exceeded the control of the imperial power, and Jia Gonglu also means that he has surpassed the aristocratic families. Even though the aristocratic families may be divided by the poor families, the poor families may also become new aristocratic families. Just like the yin and yang of heaven and earth, they restrain each other and can transform into each other. But such a situation...how long will it coexist with the imperial power?

Thinking of this, the prince glanced at Pei Jiaoran.

The young tutor of the crown prince in front of him was neither from an aristocratic family nor from a poor family, but he was extremely perceptive, intelligent and well versed in the ways of the tide. As long as the idea she had just proposed had a flaw, he could have rejected her. But she didn't. She accurately found the balance point in the game and split it perfectly. This not only showed her loyalty and protected her own interests, but also brought her interests to a higher level.

Seeing the prince in deep thought, Pei Jiaoran curled her lips. The strategy she proposed was of course selfish. The news she had learned now made it impossible for her to sit still and wait for death. Although the Secretariat was basically under her control, and she also had Li Xiujing in the military, she had only taken one step on this road. If she wanted to get what she wanted and go smoothly, she had to ensure that no one could influence her.

Life cannot be protected by others, and the blade does not need to be held by others. She can wield the knife skillfully by herself and personally avoid a suitable path for herself.

Pei Jiaoran looked at the prince and smiled. The prince also met her gaze. The gaze between the future emperor and the future powerful minister made it unimportant whether this strategy was passed or not. At least at this moment they needed to stand on the same side.

Wei Shulin drank a sip of tea and looked at the two people in front of him. Even though his family had fallen into decline, the family background he had left behind gave him enough political wisdom to see the undercurrents behind the scenes. He understood that his decision-making could not be compared with Pei Jiaoran's because he lacked the ability to give back to the superior.

After all, Zhang Rang's power comes from the king, so he should at least give him face on the surface, otherwise it would be a slap in the king's face. As long as he doesn't go too far, all his actions are reasonable. This is his bargaining chip as a chess piece of the king to compete with them. Everyone in the game understands this.

In the overall situation, no one who holds power can decide which side is the overall situation. No matter whether it is a noble family, a poor family, or a commoner, we are all mortals. Are you the only one allowed to regard yourself as the overall situation, but I am not allowed to regard myself as the overall situation?

Wei Shulin lowered his head and sighed. It seemed that he, his old subordinates in the East Palace, and Pei Jiaoran would inevitably get into disputes in the future.

"Prime Minister Pei has a far-sighted vision, and I really admire him." Wei Shulin said with a smile.

Pei Jiaoran raised his lips and said softly, "I don't deserve it. The Chancellor is in charge of the Eastern Palace, and I am the Prince's Junior Tutor. You and I should encourage each other and work together to assist His Highness."

At present, the crown prince has not yet ascended the throne. Even if she is hostile to the officials of the Eastern Palace headed by Wei Shulin, she cannot show it at all. Hostility will sow a thorn in the heart of the superior.

"It's getting late. Pei Qing, why don't you stay and have dinner with me and the Crown Princess?" The Crown Prince said with a smile.

"Here."

Although it was a private dinner for only three people, the meal was still exquisite.

Seeing Wei Ruo holding Huan Xuanli and slowly approaching surrounded by a large group of maids, Pei Jiaoran smiled and stood up to greet them.

Seeing her bow, Wei Ruo waved her hand quickly, "I asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite sweet-scented osmanthus chicken head rice and flower glutinous rice cake. I have tasted it, it tastes good."

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Princess." Pei Jiaoran spoke softly, and saw the nurse carrying Huan Xuanli over. Thinking of the scene she had encountered, she curled her lips.

She took off the goldfish bag from her waist and waved it in front of Huan Xuanli's eyes. But after a while, she reached out and grabbed her goldfish bag, giggling non-stop.

Pei Jiaoran felt the power coming from the goldfish bag, and raised his lips, "Next time, go get your grandfather's jade seal. That jade seal is much more useful than my goldfish bag."

At this moment, Huan Xuanli's attention was completely on the goldfish bag.

She found that the harder she pushed, the stronger Huan Xuanli's hand became. Pei Jiaoran stared at her with great interest.

"Does Mr. Pei like my daughter? Mr. Pei can also give birth to one himself and raise her carefully. Let her help my daughter in the future." Taking Huan Xuanli from the nurse's hands, the prince stroked the strands of hair on her forehead, "We don't care about this little thing. There will be better ones in the future."

Listening to the prince's words, Pei Jiaoran frowned. Giving birth to a child, from the current situation, there is really no benefit in giving birth to a child. It is better to maintain this relationship first and enjoy the desires of the flesh and the self-examination of the soul.

Someone was sent to return Pei Jiaoran's goldfish bag, and the three of them sat down one by one. The maids came forward to serve the three people food.

"Jia Jia, remember to try the golden milk pastry. I prepared it especially for you." Wei Ruo said with a smile.

Pei Jiaoran glanced at the golden milk pastry on the plate and curled her lips. The crispy skin exuded a sweet smell. She picked up a piece and bit it gently. A "crunch" sound was heard, and the sweet smell immediately filled her entire mouth.

"How does it taste?" Wei Ruo asked.

Putting down his chopsticks, Pei Jiaoran relaxed his brows, "The imperial chef's cooking skills are really good."

"When you are on duty, tell me what you want to eat. Send someone to the East Palace to find me, and I will have someone make it for you." Wei Ruo handed Huan Xuanli in her arms to the wet nurse and smiled, "Xuanli seems to like you very much. If you have time, remember to come and visit. When she is a little older, I want you to be her teacher."

Pei Jiaoran was shocked when she heard this. Teaching the next generation of the East Palace was both a good thing and a bad thing, but she couldn't agree to it now.

After thinking for a while, Pei Jiaoran said: "Your Highness is still young. It won't be too late to discuss it again after he has been enlightened."

"That's right. But I still hope you can come." Wei Ruo glanced at the prince and said with a smile: "Okay, let's continue with the meal."