The three-year-old host decides to raise an emperor father for himself.

"Your Majesty."

Xuan Yuanjing calmly walked to the table and sat down, gesturing for Pei Qingzhu to sit as well, and slowly asked, "Did you encounter any trouble on your way back to the capital?"

Pei Qingzhu had expected Xuan Yuanjing to ask about his visit to the Su family that day, but she was surprised that he would ask about that first. She was slightly taken aback, and when she looked up and saw Xuan Yuanjing's seemingly indifferent face, her heart warmed.

Although Prince Jing often appears somewhat aloof, those who spend time with him in the military camp will find that he is not a cold person at heart.

On the contrary, as long as business is not discussed, Xuanyuan Jing is relatively lenient with his subordinates and soldiers in private, and does not mind the occasional insubordination of some people.

As long as you don't cross his bottom line, Xuan Yuanjing is actually a very easy person to get along with.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have gained Pei Qingzhu's loyalty.

Pei Qingzhu curled her lips and said with a smile, "What kind of trouble is Your Highness referring to? If it's being robbed on the road, I have indeed encountered someone robbing me on the mountain road once or twice, but they were just ordinary mountain bandits."

"They were supposed to be escorted to the government, but in order to conceal our whereabouts, I only broke their arms and legs and threw them at the gate of a nearby city before leaving."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanjing didn't comment further, "Nothing else?"

Pei Qingzhu: "Nothing else."

If Pei Qingzhu held an official position, he wouldn't be able to return to the capital so easily. All court officials, whether civil or military, had to report their whereabouts whether they were going to the provinces or returning to the capital.

But now, Pei Qingzhu is essentially a commoner, which actually reduces her constraints.

As for the travel permit... Pei Qingzhu was able to stay in Zhangzhou for two years, and given his shrewdness, it was impossible for him not to have his own people planted in the government.

He doesn't like being too passive; it's just that he does things discreetly, making it difficult for others to discover.

Even a simple travel permit required the use of people within the government. When the Zhangzhou government investigates, they may not be able to find out who issued the travel permit to Pei Qingzhu.

The internal relationships within the Zhangzhou government were a complete mess, and Pei Qingzhu had stirred things up quite a bit over the past two years, leaving them no time to pay attention to him after he returned to Zhangzhou.

Xuanyuan Jing: "I naturally understand your abilities, but I just received some news and I am somewhat worried about your safety."

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingzhu straightened her back slightly and looked at him with some confusion: "What does Your Highness mean?"

Someone wants you dead.

"So that's what it is." Upon hearing this, Pei Qingzhu relaxed again and smiled, "Your Highness, rest assured, I am aware of this matter."

Xuan Yuanjing's eyes flickered slightly: "Then do you know who most wants to kill you, but least wants anyone to know?"

Pei Qingzhu: "There are countless people who want to kill me, but only a few dare to openly express their murderous intent."

This is true.

Xuanyuan Jing naturally understood; he simply wanted to see what clues Pei Qingzhu had.

But after he said that, Xuan Yuanjing understood that this matter probably still needed to be investigated secretly.

An investigation without a clear direction is not easy, but it cannot be ignored.

Pei Qingzhu: "Isn't Your Highness going to ask me about the Su family?"

Xuanyuan Jing didn't seem very interested: "No need, it's just a warning. I don't care how she or Su Jianming reacts."

He had indeed treated Su Mingxuan differently when he was young, but having already harbored some suspicions, and now learning about what her mother had done, he only felt disgust towards the Su family.

Moreover, Su Mingxuan had already betrayed him once before.

No one else knows, and even Xuan Yuanlin himself probably doesn't know that before Su Mingxuan entered the palace, and before Xuan Yuanjing's last expedition, he had made a promise with Su Mingxuan.

When he returns victorious, he will marry her as his concubine.

The two also exchanged tokens of affection.

Then, no sooner had Xuanyuan Jing won a battle than he received news that Su Mingxuan had entered the palace.

Even now, when Xuan Yuanjing recalls the feelings he had at the time, he still feels a sense of unease.

After all, at that time, he saw the woman who was almost his wife with his trusted and supported brother, which was a greater blow to him.

But there is no room for carelessness on the battlefield, and Xuanyuan Jing did not have much time to dwell on these matters of love and affection. After the matter was settled, he destroyed the token and pretended that nothing had happened.

Even though the Su family later secretly sent him a handwritten letter from Su Mingxuan, the contents of the letter were not mentioned, but the message conveyed by the messenger was that Su Mingxuan had her reasons.

And then……

"Your Majesty?"

Xuanyuan Jing snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Pei Qingzhu: "Since you claim to be the commander of the guards, then this position will be given to you for now."

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingzhu smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for helping me cover up the lie."

Xuanyuan Jing chuckled and waved his hand, "Alright, it's getting late, I need to rest too, you can go back now."

"Whether you stay at the Prince's Mansion or find another place to stay, you can discuss it with Chen Li yourself."

Pei Qingzhu stood up, cupped her hands in greeting, and said, "Alright, Your Highness, please rest. I will take my leave."

Xuanyuan Jing nodded slightly.

Pei Qingzhu took a few steps, then suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, Your Highness."

Xuanyuan Jing raised his eyes.

Pei Qingzhu: "When I entered the city today, I overheard some news that many people are eyeing the position next to you. Are you aware of this?"

The position of Princess Jing...

Xuanyuan Jing sneered: "I know."

Pei Qingzhu: "As long as you know what I mean."

Xuanyuan Jing waved his hand.

After Pei Qingzhu left, Xuan Yuanjing returned to his room, picked up the pestle and mortar that were placed on the table, smelled them, and asked the person who had appeared silently behind him, "Has it been examined by Doctor Fang?"

"Your Highness, it has been tested, and Doctor Fang says it is non-toxic."

Hearing this, Xuan Yuanjing was finally relieved and nodded slightly: "Yes, you may leave."

After saying that, he took the pestle and mortar and sat down to the side, and actually began to crush and grind the contents into powder himself, without any intention of asking someone else to do it.

This surprised everyone in the room, whether they were in the open or in the shadows, but no one dared to say anything or keep staring.

Xuanyuan Jingxin thought to himself, "Since I promised her, I will naturally keep my word."

——————————————————————————————

Pei Qingzhu didn't wake up naturally the next morning; she was awakened by the faint sounds of voices coming from outside.

Actually, neither of them was speaking very loudly, but Pei Qingzhu's senses were sharp, and the voices were unfamiliar, so her alertness immediately dispelled her drowsiness.

But when he woke up, looking at the unfamiliar bed curtains and hearing the conversation outside, he came to his senses.

Ah, it's the young princess who's come to his guest quarters.

"...Ah, I'm awake."

"Miss, it's not fully light yet, General Pei must not be awake."

The little girl's voice was very serious: "I'm awake, I heard you."

Pei Qingzhu: ?

What did you hear? I didn't even move!