I’m going to see Kisaragi, now, immediately, right this second

Chen Liang's words left Pei Jingzhi somewhat stunned.

He was quite surprised. Why would Chen Liang think this way?

However, he knew that over the years he had dedicated himself to court politics, or otherwise stayed behind closed doors to read or teach his children. He was not very familiar with many of the current trends in the capital.

In contrast, this junior, Chen Liang, understood much more.

Still, he absolutely respected Chen Liang's opinion and said, The armory and the inner treasury are not entirely under Wei Chengye's control. After all, Ren Tianye has also planted his own people there. Since we want to catch them off guard, it would be better to have Wei Chengye feign illness and stay at home these days.

He can step forward when the time is right.

Using his long-standing prestige in the armory and inner treasury, he can mobilize the weapons and soldiers.

As Pei Jingzhi spoke, he continued to plan: As for Wei Chengye, I will help him find a courtyard and send only an old woman to take care of his daily needs.

I suppose he wouldn't possibly develop any so-called feelings for an old woman, right?

Chen Liang's eyes lit up. Your Excellency's plan is excellent. An old woman, doing servant's work, would never catch Lord Wei Chengye's eye.

Receiving Chen Liang's affirmation, Pei Jingzhi felt a bit more settled in his heart. He said, Right now, the external enemies are set, and the manpower and weapons are secured. Everything is ready.

But I still want to add one more layer of insurance.

Chen Liang, truly worthy of being Pei Jingzhi's confidant and an outstanding figure among the younger generation, immediately realized it and said, Does Your Excellency intend to bring in outside help?

Exactly! Pei Jingzhi nodded approvingly.

Entering his area of expertise, his demeanor changed, becoming seasoned and resolute. The best outside help we can bring in right now is from the noble families.

My wife, Madam Liu, is from the Liu family of Hedong.

At a time like this, we should definitely seek her assistance.

Chen Liang's enthusiastic expression instantly dimmed a little. Your Excellency, will this work?

Is the Hedong Liu family truly willing to help?

His Majesty is imprisoned, and the nation is on the verge of ruin. In such a critical moment, the Liu family eats the emperor's salary; why shouldn't they share the emperor's burdens? Pei Jingzhi said angrily. Besides, while it's true the Liu family is a top-tier noble clan, they have been declining over the years.

They might very well be seeking an opportunity to advance.

Ren Tianye is nothing but a rebellious minister and a traitor. He holds no righteous justification, and if he takes power, he will surely be condemned by the whole world. The Liu family are not fools; how could they possibly forsake His Majesty to curry favor with Ren Tianye?

Your Excellency, that's not what I meant, Chen Liang said. He knew Pei Jingzhi was right.

Despite Ren Tianye's current great power, he had not won the hearts of the people and lacked true supporters. This world still belonged to the Great Yu Dynasty. The Hedong Liu family would either do nothing to protect themselves, or they would inevitably have to remain loyal to His Majesty.

From this perspective, Chen Liang knew Pei Jingzhi was right, but... that was not what he was thinking about.

He asked, Your Excellency, what I want to say is...

Your Madam wields considerable influence within the Hedong Liu clan, but she doesn't seem to like it when you cause such a stir. Will she stand in the same camp as you?

Naturally, she will!

Pei Jingzhi said with absolute certainty.

Really?

Chen Liang still did not believe it.

After all, as a capital insider, he knew a thing or two about Pei Jingzhi's romantic affairs from his youth.

When Madam Pei was young, she had a childhood sweetheart who unfortunately died in the military early on. Madam Pei wept to the heavens and pounded the earth, nearly dying of grief several times. Later, Lord Pei Jingzhi somehow found his way to her side.

Over the years, the two did indeed look like a loving couple in front of outsiders. But having visited the Pei residence a few times, he could clearly sense Madam Pei's absent-mindedness toward Pei Jingzhi.

Even...

A lack of respect.

This made him inevitably suspicious.

Pei Jingzhi, however, smiled and said, Of course it's true!

My wife, Madam Liu, suffered a great setback in her youth. It was my day-and-night care that allowed me to step into her heart and pull her out of the gloom. She also promised to spend the rest of her life with me as a devoted couple.

Although her temper is a bit impatient and she often puts me in awkward positions, her heart is good. She has also borne me a son and two daughters.

My Madam and I share a deep marital bond.

The current matter concerns not only the world of Great Yu but also our Pei family. Even if she only considers the affection of my day-and-night care during her youth, she definitely will not refuse.

You can just set your mind at ease.

Only then did Chen Liang nod.

However, he was already pondering in his heart.

Although Pei Jingzhi was full of confidence, it would be best for him to think of an alternative noble family. Just in case there was a problem, they wouldn't be caught scrambling at the last minute.

He casually picked up the three edicts placed on the desk. One was for Pei Jingzhi, one for the Eldest Princess, and one for Ren Tianye.

Looking closely at them again, he pointed to one and said, Your Excellency, what do you say...

Don't mention Ren Tianye... Pei Jingzhi's voice suddenly rose. Even now, His Majesty is still so foolish about such matters.

How could he place his hopes on Ren Tianye!

Ren Tianye's wolfish ambitions are glaringly obvious. He definitely wants to let Tuoba Xiangtai kill His Majesty so he can install a new emperor. It is such a simple matter, yet His Majesty still relies on him.

It truly pains my heart.

We absolutely cannot make such a mistake.

Pei Jingzhi spoke with absolute certainty, exposing Ren Tianye's thoughts in a single sentence. After a pause, he continued, However, although Ren Tianye cannot be used, the people under his command might have a chance to serve the imperial court.

His deputy general, Wang Ming, seems to me to be loyal, honest, and chivalrous at heart. If we can gain his allegiance, great things can be accomplished.

Even if Wang Ming cannot pledge his allegiance, we can take the opportunity to drive a wedge between him and Ren Tianye. After all, anyone can sit in the position of Grand Commandant; why should it be Ren Tianye?

I refuse to believe that Wang Ming has not the slightest desire to hold great power.

Chen Liang's train of thought was clearly interrupted by Pei Jingzhi, so he had to follow along and say, But as far as I know, Wang Ming is indeed intensely loyal to Ren Tianye...

That is why we must use some methods, Pei Jingzhi smiled. Chen Liang, to tell you the truth, my Madam Liu and I share a deep bond. She once selected a troupe of dancers for me to enjoy.

Although I am not fond of such things, I kept those dancers. Among them is a woman named Hongxiu. With heavenly beauty and natural allure, she is truly a rare find in this world.

I intend to present her to Wang Ming first. After Wang Ming falls for her, I will present her to Ren Tianye. Then, I will have Hongxiu whisper in their ears to sow discord between Ren Tianye and Wang Ming.

These words left Chen Liang somewhat bewildered.

What did he mean by sharing a deep bond, and therefore selecting dancers for him?

Was that what a deep bond looked like?

Furthermore, could a single woman really make Ren Tianye and Wang Ming part ways? As far as he knew, neither Ren Tianye nor Wang Ming were lustful men!

Could just one woman cause the two of them to become alienated from each other?

Just how breathtakingly beautiful would this woman have to be!

Soon, Chen Liang glimpsed a sliver of possibility.

Pei Jingzhi probably felt that Chen Liang wouldn't believe him, so he specifically had a servant go to Madam Liu's room to fetch the portrait of Hongxiu.

With just one glance, Chen Liang's body trembled.

This woman was truly enchanting and alluring, a peerless beauty.

Even he couldn't help but swallow hard.

He asked, "This woman, My Lord, are you willing to part with her?"

"For the Great Yu, what does a mere woman matter?" Pei Jingzhi's eyes were clear, his heart open and honest, as he said directly, "Besides, I am not fond of womanizing; in half a lifetime, I have only ever had my wife."

"Although Hongxiu is excellent, she should be used where she is needed."

Chen Liang felt deep admiration.

The hot blood in his heart surged.

It was because the Great Yu had people like Lord Pei that it could rise again and again from countless disasters over its eight hundred years of rule.

He said, "Your Lordship is highly righteous, and I am in awe."

"However, what I wanted to say just now was not about His Majesty's edict to Ren Tianye, but the one for the Eldest Princess..."

"My Lord, in the edict His Majesty gave to the Eldest Princess, there is a line telling her that if she faces an indecisive matter, she can go to Chongning Nunnery."

"If I remember correctly, there is someone hidden in this Chongning Nunnery."

Pei Jingzhi shuddered.

He hurriedly reopened the edict.

In fact, of these three edicts, apart from the one for Ren Tianye which he truly couldn't bear to read, he had read the other two dozens of times. Let alone the general content, he remembered every word and phrase clearly.

It was just that the person living in Chongning Nunnery had been secluded for so many years that he had habitually forgotten about her for a moment. Now that Chen Liang mentioned it, he quickly looked.

Sure enough, he saw that sentence.

But his brow furrowed.

"Is that person so important? That His Majesty had to deliberately mention her?"

Chen Liang said, "After all, she was a close confidante of the former Empress. Her status and position are more than ten thousand times nobler than Aunt Xiao's. At a time like this, it is only right that His Majesty mentions her."

"But what abilities does she have?"

"To make His Majesty entrust her like this?"

"And even have the Eldest Princess specifically go to consult her?"

Pei Jingzhi shook his head, unable to explain it either, and said, "No matter what, if the Eldest Princess doesn't go to visit her when the time comes, I will go personally."

"Fortunately, everything is settled for now. We just need to act according to the plan."

Pausing, Pei Jingzhi continued, "Without further delay, I will go find Lu Qing and the Eldest Princess now, bearing His Majesty's blood edict, to sound out their attitudes."

"As for you, Chen Liang, besides resolving the matters of your cavalry unit, you must contact as many court officials as possible. At a time like this, I believe there are countless loyal and patriotic people."

Chen Liang nodded. "Yes, My Lord."

"I will go handle it right away."

After the two agreed, they both moved swiftly.

Pei Jingzhi rushed to the Duke of Fuguo's manor. Along the way, he saw patrols everywhere, showing Ren Tianye's control over the capital.

However, looking at a spot through a bamboo tube reveals a part of the whole.

It could also be seen that Ren Tianye's control over the capital was far from perfect; otherwise, why would he need to rely entirely on military force for intimidation? Instead of winning people's hearts to serve him.

All of this was within Pei Jingzhi's expectations.

Thus, he only sighed deeply without feeling surprised. Soon, he arrived at the gates of the Duke of Fuguo's manor.

"I am the Minister of the Imperial Household, Pei Jingzhi. I seek an audience with General Lu Qing. Please announce me."

The guards at the gate dared not be negligent and immediately went to report. Returning shortly after, they said apologetically, "Sorry, My Lord, our General is not in the manor."

"Please come back another day."

"Nonsense!" Pei Jingzhi said. "Currently, the morning court is suspended, and the capital is in chaos. If Lu Qing is not in the manor, where else could he be?"

"Could it be that he doesn't want to see me?"

The guards hemmed and hawed, making Pei Jingzhi increasingly certain that Lu Qing simply refused to see him. This made his previously calm heart instantly boil like the sea.

Back when His Majesty wanted to promote Lu Qing to General of Agile Cavalry to command all military affairs in the capital, he had disagreed, publicly rebuking Lu Qing in the royal court.

He had scolded Lu Qing for losing seventy thousand sets of equipment and suffering defeat when leading troops south, declaring that in both virtue and ability, he was completely unworthy of the position of General of Agile Cavalry.

He had even argued that not only should Lu Qing not be promoted, but he should also be demoted, or even punished for his crimes.

But His Majesty was obstinate, and he had no other way.

Now, was Lu Qing deliberately avoiding him because of these political disagreements?

But currently, His Majesty was imprisoned and in imminent danger. Whether Lu Qing was ultimately willing to act or not, he had to try!

So, he said, "Go ask again. Ask if Lu Qing has returned."

"If he hasn't returned, I will wait in front of the Duke of Fuguo's manor. I will wait until he is willing to see me."

The guard went again but quickly returned.

"Our General really hasn't returned."

Pei Jingzhi gave a bitter laugh, and then... bowed down, offering a deep salute, and said, "Please go announce again. Say that I, Pei Jingzhi, am ignorant of good and bad, and have been disrespectful to the General in the past. I ask the General to be magnanimous and not hold a grudge against a petty person like me."

"Right now, I truly have an urgent matter concerning the fate of the state. I implore the General to find the time to see me, no matter what."

This posture was so low that it startled the gate guards. They had originally planned to resolutely avoid asking for trouble, but seeing this situation, they gritted their teeth.

They said, "Please wait a moment, My Lord. I will go ask again."

"Perhaps the General has just returned."

The guard went again, notified the butler of the Duke's manor, and explained Pei Jingzhi's stance. Then, the butler went to inform Lu Qing.

As soon as the butler arrived at the study, Lu Qing, who was sitting behind the desk, jumped up. "How is it? Are they here? Have Ren Tianye's people come?"

"No..." The butler didn't really want to face Lu Qing's expression, but he still had to speak. He said, "Master, it is still Lord Pei Jingzhi..."

"Tell him to get the hell away from me!" Before the butler could finish, Lu Qing said angrily, "If that old geezer Pei Jingzhi dares to come making noise again, I'll tear his mouth off."

"Right now, I won't see anyone except the people sent by Ren Tianye. Even if His Majesty comes in person, I won't see him!"

Lu Qing kicked the butler aside, his anger not diminishing in the slightest. After all, Ren Tianye had told him that he was allowed to see Ruyue once every three days.

But this time, it had been three days and half an hour, and Ren Tianye's people still hadn't arrived. How could he have the mind to care about anything else now?

He wanted to see Ruyue!

Go see Ruyue immediately!

Not even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, not even a single breath's time could be delayed!

It must be immediately, right now!

In fact, if Ren Tianye hadn't been using Ruyue to threaten him, he would have brought people to kill Ren Tianye right now. By what right did a lowly Ren Tianye stop him from seeing Ruyue?