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

After the affairs in the palace were concluded, the Emperor of Wei left, and the Crown Prince also accompanied him. Xu Yan was still escorted back to Jingzhao Prison to await interrogation. Only Pei Jiaoran and Jia Gonglu were left in the watchtower.

Jia Gonglu's fingertips brushed across the goldfish symbol on his waist, and the jade ring slowly spun on the symbol: "Prime Minister Pei's chess game at Guangdefang last night...I'm afraid he missed the star position.

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. He spoke softly, "It's common to be favored or neglected. If there's something going on at home, I'll go first."

When she came down from the tower, Su Jinghui had already been escorted by soldiers to a carriage and taken home for investigation. The carriage started and drove away.

Pei Jiaoran curled his lips as he watched the carriage go farther and farther away. The carriage left two deep marks on the snowy Zhuque Street.

In the carriage, Su Jinghui's fingers turned white as he clutched the fox fur. The sound of the horses' hooves outside the carriage came and went, just like the night when he first returned to Chang'an - at that time, his own people clapped their hands three times in the corridor, and thirty servants carried the sandalwood box in a line. Now, the cold wind seeping in through the gaps in the curtains, carrying the fine snow, seemed like a death warrant sent by the Su family.

He felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his heart and soul were cold. The anger and disappointment of the Emperor of Wei in the palace frightened him. He originally thought that this was just a momentary loss of composure by the Emperor of Wei, but he never thought that he was really angry. Dismissing his official position and leaving him idle at home, even if he had not been convicted, was no different from abandoning his son.

He felt that Cen Xi and Li Sikong were extremely foolish for standing aside and watching. Now Pei Jiaoran had already been alienated from them, so they should work together to suppress him. Now he was the chief of the Taiwan Province second only to Jia Gonglu. If he won, how could he not defeat Jia's party?

Su Jinghui lifted the curtain and looked out, his eyes were cold. If he hadn't discovered the clues at this time, it would be a waste for him to step up to the position of Zhongshu Ling. Today's incident happened suddenly, and even though Cen and Li's watching was deeply shameful, there must be someone who was obstructing it.

The answer is obvious. It was Pei Jiaoran. In order to overthrow her, she lobbied the Cen and Li families many times, and even persuaded Jia Gonglu to join forces with her. Xu Yan went to Chang'an to file a complaint, and today he was able to enter Xingqing Palace so smoothly and state his grievances in a clear and logical manner.

Where did the paper and pen come from in such a short time? He could even frame himself with several crimes. This matter was the result of the joint efforts of three parties, and the purpose was probably not just him.

He was able to get to where he is today by relying on the influence of the Cui family, and he is also constantly giving back to the Cui family. If Pei Jiaoran's goal is to overthrow himself, then the goal of others is most likely the Cui family. If this matter succeeds, the power of the aristocratic families will inevitably be weakened, Cen and Li will return to the stage, and Jia Gonglu will also be able to bring a group of poor families to the stage. Even if this matter fails, he will be regarded as an abandoned child by the Cui family. In the case of Zhongshu being without a leader, the Emperor of Wei will have to promote Pei Jiaoran to Zhongshu Ling no matter how reluctant he is.

After such concessions, what kind of situation would the other noble families in the court be in? Su Jinghui didn't even dare to think about it.

We can't just sit there and wait for death. Su Jinghui concentrated and thought for a moment, and once he entered the palace, he told his trusted followers to go to Cui Shao's house and tell him about this. He wanted to expose the mastermind behind the scenes, and he wanted the Emperor of Wei to see Pei Jiaoran's wolfish ambitions.

At this time, the palace was still under holiday, and except for the officials on duty, the government offices in the palace were deserted. The spring sun was rising, and its golden light penetrated the mist and sprinkled over the Taiji Palace.

The Emperor of Wei, supported by the Crown Prince, took a walk in the Imperial Garden. Every blade of grass and every tree in the garden was covered with frost. The palace servants lowered their heads and swept the snow, seemingly unaware of what had happened last night.

After finding a pavilion to sit down, the Emperor of Wei said, "This morning, Cui Shao submitted a secret letter. He said that Xu Yan, who went to Jingzhao Prefecture to report, was instructed by Pei Jiaoran."

The prince said, "Isn't Su Jinghui in prison? How could he have spread the news? It seems that he has connections."

"He has no other options." As if thinking of something, the Emperor of Wei sneered, "But if he knew how to control his desires, he wouldn't be caught by others."

The prince smiled and nodded, but he didn't dare to reply directly to the Emperor of Wei. If you hadn't deliberately suppressed Pei Jiaoran, she wouldn't have done this. Those who have interests with her are now waiting for her to share the profits. The allies are eyeing her covetously, but the emperor intends to suppress her.

She understood the emperor's intention to suppress her, and joined forces with other people in the court to weave a net for Su Jinghui. On the one hand, she appeared calm in front of the emperor, and on the other hand, she took the lead in letting Jia Gonglu arrange Xu Yan to go to the capital to sue the Su family. For Su Jinghui, he may not know the whole story, but if he delegated too much power to his family, he would inevitably fall into the trap.

The imperial court has always wanted to suppress the aristocracy. After the Cui family was implicated, Su Jinghui's position as the Minister of the Central Secretariat was inevitably dismissed. In order to prevent the Ministry of Shangshu from dominating the center, the only person who could succeed the Minister of the Central Secretariat in a short period of time was Pei Jiaoran. After this incident, the reason why she was not qualified was no longer important. She had to become the successor to contain the Ministry of Shangshu.

The prince said, "It has come to this. Why don't you seize this opportunity and defeat the Cui family? As for Pei Jiaoran, the position of the Minister of the Central Secretariat is hers at present."

After saying this, the prince quietly looked at the Emperor of Wei and saw that he frowned as if thinking. The prince pursed his lips slightly.

Of course, he knew why his father asked him to review the affairs of the province with Pei Jiaoran. He was simply worried that no one in the court would be able to control Pei Jiaoran in the future. After all, the emperor was already in his twilight years, while this wise and almost demonic court official was in his prime. The current demotion and suppression were all intended to give him this opportunity to show favor.

When I ascend the throne in the future, I will promote Pei Jiaoran. She will definitely be loyal to me and to the imperial power.

"She has always been ambitious. If we don't control her now, who can control her in the future? If she is promoted to the position of Zhongshu Ling, the entire government hall will become her world. Heng'er, I'm afraid you won't be able to control her after you ascend the throne." The Emperor of Wei looked at the prince with worry.

It is true that the prince is a child he has high hopes for. He hopes to leave the prince with a team that is trustworthy and easy to control. A minister like Pei Jiaoran who is capable and ambitious should not be given power that no one can suppress too early.

"Father, it is precisely because she understands your purpose that she joined forces with many parties to attack Su Jinghui, forcing you to choose her." The prince took a deep breath, his eyes burning, "If you suppress her now, what kind of situation will the central government fall into?"

The Emperor of Wei couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Perhaps he was really old. He couldn't clearly understand the pros and cons of the situation, nor could he recognize the true heart of a court official. If he really suppressed Pei Jiaoran and re-arranged someone to succeed him as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, the current situation was just a time for the reorganization of power. Under the temptation of power dividends, the same political niche was destined to be unable to allow the two to coexist. If the successor was unable to compete with the other party, he would be completely eliminated when the problem broke out.

If the successor wants to have a good ending, he must show Pei Jiaoran that he is willing to transfer power. Otherwise, not making a statement is the same as making a statement. And Pei Jiaoran can still hide behind the successor who has surrendered and do whatever he wants.

The sun of early spring floated on the thin ice of Taiye Lake, and the golden spots wandered across the yellow robe of the Emperor of Wei. The icicles hanging from the eaves reflected a colorful halo, but they could not warm the silence between the father and son in the pavilion. The palace servants sweeping the snow piled up the snow into a small hill, just like the memorials in the court that piled up higher and higher.

"I am old. Since you think this method is good, then let's do as you wish. Once Su Jinghui is convicted, Pei Jiaoran will succeed him as the Minister of the Central Secretariat. I only hope she will remember your kindness." The Emperor of Wei spoke in a tired voice.

"Thank you, father. I understand." The prince bowed and spoke.