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

The Emperor of Wei left first. Huan Yuanjing, who stayed behind, glanced at Pei Jiaoran, who was still sitting there, and remembered his brother's instructions. He waved to her, signaling her to come over.

Meeting Huan Yuanjing's gaze, Pei Jiaoran stood up and followed him out. The two stood side by side in the courtyard of the government hall.

Huan Yuanjing said, "Prime Minister Pei, His Majesty has something for you to ask. 'Yiyang was built on the banks of a mighty river, and the Chu River was constantly at war. Fangcheng faced the enemy, and we had no choice but to place our loyal generals under his command. With tens of thousands of ships and twice the number of soldiers, he was the one who took advantage of the situation without any consideration. He was the Duke of Zhou.' Do you know who this sentence is mocking or praising?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Jiaoran frowned and said nothing.

Seeing her expression, Huan Yuanjing continued, "Your Majesty said that Prime Minister Pei is knowledgeable and well-versed in history and the present. You should know the answer."

Pei Jiaoran narrowed his eyes, a flicker of sarcasm in them. The Emperor had recently favored Duke Zhou, but his regency was a politically complex, isolated case. Furthermore, from an observer's perspective, it served more as a negative warning than a positive example. With the exception of Huo Bolu, subsequent regents were often accused of usurping power.

Pei Jiaoran sighed and said, "This statement is a satire on Wang Dun and a praise for Xi Jian."

"The Jin dynasty declined, with the aristocratic families and the imperial power sharing the empire. Despite Wang Dun's rebellion, Emperor Suzu was surrounded by capable people who protected him." Huan Yuanjing stroked his beard and looked at Pei Jiaoran meaningfully. "His Majesty, Prime Minister Pei, has great trust in you. Do not let him down. Although Xu Yan is related to the royal family, he is still a subject."

Pei Jiaoran couldn't help but sneer as he finished speaking.

If her aim was to centralize power within a controllable range, ready for deployment at any time, the Wei Emperor's goal was to exploit this opportunity to disperse power and simultaneously stigmatize her, using the Southern Court as a tool to contain the Northern Court. The former's power was uncontrollable, and if any link went awry, it could easily spiral out of control. The latter's attempt to divide power and maintain checks and balances was merely superficial; in reality, it was intended to encourage others to compete with her for power and sow suspicion in her successor.

The Emperor of Wei's endorsement of her ideas granted her supreme power, but it also implied to the others that her power surpassed all others. Only by annexing her, eliminating her, would newcomers have a chance to rise. This was a fatal tactic for her. She had no relatives, and while she had allies, they were all based on a division of interests. Even though she and Li Xiujing had a close relationship, they were ultimately not related by blood.

Under such circumstances, she must seek stable and reliable allies, otherwise she would be labeled as domineering after the crown prince ascended the throne. This could lead to a disastrous outcome, such as Wei Shulin, who was a member of the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, becoming the head of the three ministries and competing with her. While his political prestige and experience might not match hers, his natural connections as a member of the Eastern Palace would be far more advantageous.

Pei Jiaoran raised an eyebrow. She had already seen the purpose of the Wei Emperor's political Tai Chi tactics. His apparent obedience was merely a means of better observation. He still worried about her, so after repeatedly observing everyone, he finally came up with this plan. He wanted her to willingly cling to the imperial power for survival.

After realizing this, Pei Jiaoran bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reminder."

Looking at Pei Jiaoran, Huan Yuanjing was also somewhat stunned. For a moment, he seemed to understand why his brother had chosen her as his first choice to assist him in the administration of the throne. Uncontrollably, a wave of guilt welled up within him, and he hastily turned his head away. She not only knew when to advance and when to retreat, but was also a loyal minister. Even when she saw through the emperor's dark intentions, she was willing to maintain his dignity. She always maintained the good reputation of the monarch and his ministers.

Pei Jiaoran bowed and walked out. She made a detour along the city walls to the Eastern Palace. The Eastern Palace guards were keeping a tight watch on the interior and exterior of the palace.

After handing over the fish token, she was allowed to enter the Eastern Palace. The bedroom was covered with a gorgeous carpet. The little princess, accompanied by Wei Ruo, was sitting on the carpet, playing with toys. Beside her were a few pieces of woven cloth used by children to identify colors.

Pei Jiaoran approached and bowed, then smiled and said, "Greetings to Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess."

"Jia Jia, you're here." Wei Ruo took her arm, asked her to sit down, and said, "You don't know. Ever since the Crown Prince left, the East Palace has been deserted."

"Isn't the little princess here with you?" Pei Jiaoran smiled.

As she spoke, she turned her gaze towards the little princess, who was immersed in her own world. From the corner of her eye, she saw a pile of ink-stained paper on a small table beside her. She picked up one and saw the crooked handwriting on the paper, which was obviously the handwriting of a child.

"The little princess has already started learning calligraphy?" Pei Jiaoran asked in surprise.

"How could she be that talented? A few days ago, she saw me practicing calligraphy and insisted on joining me. I couldn't persuade her, so I had to let her take the brush and write a few strokes." Wei Ruo squinted her eyes and looked at Pei Jiaoran. As if remembering something, she waved her hand to signal the nanny to take the little princess away. "You suddenly came to the East Palace. Is there something wrong?"

In an instant, Wei Ruo's smile faded, and she looked at Pei Jiaoran with a solemn look. Before the Crown Prince left, he had told her that he had handed over all the affairs of the Eastern Palace to Pei Jiaoran, and that she should always obey Pei Jiaoran's arrangements.

Upon hearing this, Pei Jiaoran said, "I would like to ask the Crown Princess to take the little princess to Mount Li for a while."

"Avoiding Mount Li at this time?" Wei Ruo frowned, eyes full of confusion.

"Yes. The Crown Prince is not in the Eastern Palace, and now the Eastern Palace is in danger." Pei Jiaoran looked at Wei Ruo, "If you leave the Eastern Palace, even if Jia Gonglu and others want to use you two to threaten the Crown Prince, they won't be able to do anything."

Upon hearing this, Crown Princess Wei Ruo's fingertips trembled slightly, and she clenched her sleeves. She was silent for a moment, then looked up at Pei Jiaoran, a flicker of struggle in her eyes. "But if I suddenly leave the palace with Xuan Li, wouldn't that arouse even more suspicion? If His Majesty asks..."

Pei Jiaoran's eyes were calm as he listened, his voice low, "The Crown Prince is delighted to have this son, and he has also received auspicious signs before. You can use the story of your dream about Empress Wende as an excuse to go to Mount Li to pray for her. I have already prepared secret guards at my villa in Mount Li, and Li Xiujing's personal soldiers will also be there to meet you along the way."

"I understand." Wei Ruo suddenly interrupted her, reaching out to press the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. "When are we leaving?"

"You will submit your petition to His Majesty tomorrow morning, and His Majesty will certainly agree." Pei Jiaoran smiled, "After that, I will arrange for your departure."

Suddenly, a breeze blew outside the palace, carrying fallen leaves that slapped against the window lattice. The little princess's babbling laughter echoed from the inner room. Wei Ruo turned her head to take a look, and when she looked back, a layer of frost had formed in her eyes. "What about you?"

"I must protect Chang'an for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Pei Jiaoran looked at the intricate patterns on the carpet. "After all, someone has to burn this fire."