It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

As for the internal situation of the Xie Mansion, what kind of changes are taking place there?

Master Pei slammed his palm on the solid table, causing the teacups on the table to jump and make a crisp sound. His voice was filled with annoyance that was difficult to conceal: "Aunt, our plan went so drastically wrong this time. The princess we have been searching for for so many years has been lurking in our sight all along, so close, yet so far away."

Concubine Pei, who was known for her calmness, could not hide her heavy face at this moment. There was a subtle flash of surprise and regret in her eyes: "Su family, why didn't I take this crucial link into consideration? Yuling, she did have a trick up her sleeve after all. She is more unfathomable than I thought."

As he spoke, Young Master Pei quietly moved closer to Concubine Pei, gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, his nose almost touching her delicate neck skin, and his breath was filled with her unique and elegant fragrance.

The corners of his mouth showed a smile that was three parts playful and seven parts coaxing: "Aunt, how about I send someone immediately, quietly..."

However, Concubine Pei spoke coldly, her voice full of unquestionable determination, interrupting his proposal: "Don't act rashly. If you cause suspicion from the Princess and His Majesty, our future will only become more difficult and bumpy."

Hearing this, Master Pei tightened his arms slightly, as if he wanted to lock in the warmth, then nodded, his tone full of obedience: "Okay, everything will be as arranged by my aunt."

In the streets and alleys, the Concubine Pei, whose name was Pei Jingliu, was often described as an unknown illegitimate daughter of the Pei family.

But few people know the truth behind this.

In fact, the real Pei Jingliu passed away quietly more than ten years ago, and the one who now occupies the position of Concubine Pei is a woman named Qin Nianxi.

Qin Nianxi and Song Yuling were childhood friends. They came from the same hometown, where they shared common memories and footprints.

During those past years, Pei Jingliu, as a concubine's daughter, had never received any favor from her father. She could only spend more than a dozen years with her grandmother in the quaint house in her hometown of Linzhou.

It was not until her grandmother passed away that she was ready to return to the capital.

Sadly, on her way home, she was mercilessly killed by a sudden illness, and she ultimately lost the chance to witness the prosperity of the capital city with her own eyes.

Her loyal maid Jiao'er, carrying Pei Jingliu's relics, set out for Xie's mansion, but unexpectedly encountered bandits on the way and died in the wilderness.

After that, a miraculous turn of fate allowed Qin Nianxi to be reborn in Jiao'er's body in an almost miraculous way.

Holding Pei Jingliu's token, she stepped into the strange yet familiar gate of Xie's mansion. From then on, she was called "Princess Pei" by people.

Facing the young master of the Pei family who was pestering her, Concubine Pei gently but firmly pushed his embrace away: "We should wait and see what happens. Your Majesty and I grew up together and we still have some old feelings for each other. Why not wait patiently for now."

Master Pei wisely stepped aside and replied respectfully, "Yes, aunt."

Standing up from her seat, Concubine Pei asked in an elegant and leisurely tone, "How is the Zheng family doing?"

Master Pei smiled with a hint of sarcasm: "What else can we do? They are like a dog with its back bent. Gu Linjun has obviously seen through Su Wanyu's true identity. If it weren't for his intervention, the Zheng family would not have declined so quickly."

Concubine Pei raised her lips in disdain: "You are a bunch of ignorant people, you only have yourself to blame."

Deep down, she was still upset about the commotion caused by the painting at the birthday party.

Qin Nianxi has always been a person who will avenge herself, no matter if it is a trivial matter or a earth-shattering event. Once someone offends her, she will remember it and wait for an opportunity to retaliate.

When she first entered the palace, Song Yulin took good care of Qin Nianxi and treated her like a sister because they were both marginalized people.

But in Qin Nianxi's view, all this just added a bit of irony.

After all, Song Yuling had sewed the pillow herself and gave it to the eldest princess without considering her.

It was just a tendency of mind, unrelated to romance or power, but it was enough to plant the seeds of resentment in Qin Nianxi's heart.

From then on, she no longer appreciated any of Song Yuling's kindness, and even tried to sow discord in front of the emperor many times, which finally led to Song Yuling's tragedy in the palace.

Even though Song Yuling has passed away, the resentment in Concubine Pei's heart did not dissipate with her departure, but became even stronger.

Her attention gradually shifted to the two children left behind by Song Yulin.

In her eyes, Song Yuling was not worthy of inheriting the inheritance. Such an extremely foolish woman should have sunk into the underworld.

Why can her own children enjoy the warmth of the world, while she cannot even enjoy peace after death? Concubine Pei secretly vowed to eradicate the threat and never allow any threat to remain.

Behind all this, her great ambition is hidden.

She regarded those who followed the ancient system as worthless, and firmly believed that one day she would be able to unify the country and become the one and only empress in history books, at the pinnacle of power, above everyone else, unmatched by anyone.

Ironically, however, her wisdom always seemed to be exhausted in these intrigues.

"Aunt, how should we deal with the King of Liang?"

Master Pei carefully poured tea for his aunt while asking cautiously.

Concubine Pei took the teacup, her smile faded, and her eyes became sharp: "That guy who is always causing troubles and never doing anything good, even a small matter like killing someone was handled so badly. Now that his identity has been exposed, Gu Linjun will not tolerate him for long."

After he finished speaking, the aroma of tea lingered in the air, but it could not conceal the coldness and determination that permeated the air.

Should we try to save him?"

Young Master Pei lowered his voice, as if he was afraid that the molecules in the air could carry away the secret. His eyes flashed with complex emotions as he inquired cautiously.

Concubine Pei gently picked up the exquisite porcelain cup, and the green tea rippled slightly in the cup, as if hiding unfathomable wisdom.

She took a sip, her elegance was just like her manners, neither hurried nor slow, and then she gently waved to the eldest son, motioning him to come closer.

Master Pei understood immediately and leaned down obediently, the hem of his robe gently sweeping across the ground as he moved, silently expressing his respect for his elders. When he got closer, he could smell the faint scent of tea and the taste of years in the air, which was the unique breath of the center of power.

Concubine Pei's movements were extremely graceful. She leaned close to the eldest son's ear and whispered, "It's just a puppet. If the string breaks, just change it. Who do you think is more suitable to be our new puppet in this huge court?"

Her eyes were deep, as if she was thinking about the entire chess game.