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

The Lizheng Hall was thick with the scent of medicine. The heavy curtains on either side were drawn, preventing any light from entering. The already dim hall grew even darker. The candles in the fifteen-branched lanterns were lit everywhere, but there were still places that were not illuminated.

The Emperor of Wei, sitting cross-legged on the couch, had just taken medicine served by the eunuchs and was now leaning against the table with his eyes closed to rest. No matter how Yuan Zhengze reminded him, he did not open his eyes.

The three people who were called in looked at each other and tacitly chose to remain silent. The sound of water dripping from the night watch was particularly clear at this moment.

"I have been on the throne for thirty years." The Emperor of Wei had been bedridden for most of that time, and after yesterday's incident, he was now visibly haggard. His eyes had lost their former brilliance, and against the flickering firelight, they looked as hazy as smoke. "I used to not understand why the Retired Emperor found it so difficult to make a decision, but now I understand his feelings." The Emperor of Wei raised both hands. "If I were to ask you, my dear ministers, to choose between these two, which would you choose?"

Jia Gonglu, a former minister of the Wei Emperor's humble residence, was initially stunned upon hearing this. He sighed and asked, "May I ask what Your Majesty has chosen me for?"

"Choose them and chop them down," said the Emperor of Wei.

"I... don't know. But people often say that one's left arm is equal to his right arm, so how can one cut off one easily? I hope Your Majesty will think twice." Jia Gonglu put on his clothes and knelt on the ground.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Wei looked at his hands with a sad expression, "What if it gets to the point where they affect each other?"

Cen Xi said, "Everyone has their own hands. Cutting them off is out of the question. But what if we use them to treat illnesses?"

The Emperor of Wei raised Ku Cang's hand high, trembling slightly, and then said, "Mr. Cen, do you want me to let it recuperate?"

Cen Xi smiled and said, "Long-term illness without treatment will become a stubborn disease. If Your Majesty does not seek treatment, I am afraid he will not be able to be saved."

"What does Minister Cen mean by this?" Jia Gonglu shouted angrily.

"The Crown Prince was poisoned at a banquet at the Prince of Wu's mansion. Even if the Prince of Wu is innocent, there's no guarantee someone will take advantage of the situation to cause trouble," Pei Jiaoran continued, meeting the Emperor of Wei's sharp gaze. "It's true that the Prince of Wu is backed by a humble family. His ascension to the throne would certainly benefit the court, but how will Your Majesty appease the aristocratic families? Unrest at court, leading to disputes and perhaps even an invasion by the barbarians, will lead to a complete reversal. Many in the court have joined Your Majesty because of his favoritism towards the Prince of Wu. The Crown Prince holds a high position, is known for his talent, and has many in his corner. I implore Your Majesty to make a decision quickly."

Pei Jiaoran's words startled everyone in the hall. Jia Gonglu stared at her intently, as if he couldn't wait to see her bleed to death.

"The Crown Prince is my son, and the King of Wu is also my son. How can I bear to let the King of Wu leave like this?" The Emperor of Wei retorted with tears in his eyes.

"Ordinary people are already in a dilemma, let alone the emperor?" Jia Gonglu glanced at Pei Jiaoran. "Prime Minister Pei, the matter has not yet been fully clarified, and you are so anxious to let the King of Wu leave. What is your intention?"

"Precisely because the truth remains unresolved, the King of Wu must leave Chang'an. The commotion the other day was so severe, we already know everything we need to know." Pei Jiaoran sneered, "If we allow the King of Wu to remain in Chang'an, what will Your Majesty do when the Jingzhao Yin and Yongzhou Changshi reach a conclusion after their interrogation? The King of Wu murdered the Crown Prince, and yet you can still condone him? Who in the world still fears the law? Doesn't that mean everyone disregards the law?"

Jia Gonglu sneered and said, "What if the King of Wu didn't kill the Crown Prince, but someone close to him deliberately framed him?"

"Oh. Lord Jia, your majesty's preference for the King of Wu has led so many people to join him. Now the two factions in the court are standing on their own sides. The King of Wu may be innocent, but he is like a stubborn disease. If he continues to stay in Chang'an, it will still affect the situation, and people will still join him. If this goes on and on, the court will never be at peace." Pei Jiaoran retorted.

There was tension between the two, and each held his own opinion.

"So if I don't let the Prince of Wu leave, it will pose a threat to the Crown Prince and cause chaos?" The Emperor of Wei opened his eyes in shock and stared at Pei Jiaoran. "Then why do I insist that the Prince of Wu remain in Chang'an and stay by my side to fulfill his filial duties?"

Cen Xi suddenly spoke in a clear voice, "Then I implore Your Majesty to confine the King of Wu to the Jiacheng fortress from now on, and not allow anyone to approach!"

"Is the only option to imprison oneself in Jiacheng or return to the fiefdom? Can't the two coexist?" The Emperor of Wei asked again in a stern voice.

"Your Majesty, may I ask how many years the Crown Prince has been the heir? If one day the King of Wu becomes more powerful than the Crown Prince and the ministers press him, will Your Majesty depose the Crown Prince? Your Majesty, there are countless records of brothers killing each other in history books. You should not hesitate on this matter." Pei Jiaoran knelt and bowed. "Your Majesty, you are now in the same situation as the Emperor Retired. Back then, the Emperor Retired wanted to emulate the example of King Liang Xiao of the Han Dynasty and use this method to destroy the country and secure his family. Is this really a good idea?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Gonglu's face became even more embarrassed, and he looked at the Emperor of Wei, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

"Can't I have both of my sons?" The Emperor of Wei raised his voice several degrees.

Cen Xi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, there can't be two tigers in one mountain. If one survives, the other will be destroyed. If Your Majesty wishes to protect the King of Wu, it would be best to keep him away from Chang'an."

"Okay, everyone, leave. Let me be alone for a while." The Emperor of Wei waved his hand, signaling the three to leave.

One step behind Cen and Jia, Pei Jiaoran looked at the slumped Wei Emperor, his lips curled up. He lowered his voice and asked, "Your Majesty, did you get the answer you wanted today?"

Hearing her voice, the Emperor of Wei on the couch opened his eyes. His cloudy eyes stared straight at her, and he grabbed the empty medicine cup beside him and smashed it hard at Pei Jiaoran.

Glancing at the broken porcelain on the ground, Pei Jiaoran relaxed his brows and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. I'll take my leave."

When Pei Jiaoran came out of Lizheng Hall, Concubine Zhang was still kneeling at the door of the hall. No matter who tried to persuade her, she refused to get up and insisted on seeing His Majesty.

Yuan Zhengze followed closely and sighed at Concubine Zhang, "Your Highness, why are you doing this? His Majesty will not see you, and there's no point in kneeling here. Why don't you go back and wait patiently, and His Majesty will make the decision."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhang asked, "Why won't Your Majesty see me? And when will you release the King of Wu?"

"I don't know. I dare to ask Your Majesty to take care of yourself and not make things difficult for me." Yuan Zhengze lowered his head and whispered in Concubine Zhang's ear.

Pei Jiaoran sneered at the two of them. He took a few steps and saw Cen Xi and Jia Gonglu waiting not far away. The corners of his lips curled slightly.

"Don't the two gentlemen need to go back to the government hall?" Pei Jiaoran asked.

"There must be something going on in the government hall." Jia Gonglu glanced at Pei Jiaoran and said, "But I heard that Prime Minister Pei visited the Jingzhao Prison late at night?"

"Mr. Jia is truly all-powerful. However, I never imagined you could be so cruel. I just wonder how you plan to end this in the future." Pei Jiaoran raised his eyebrows suddenly and said, "Goodbye."